Soon, passengers with animals will have a greater choice of seats on trains. Ukrzaliznytsia and UAnimals’ lawyers are working together on changes to the animal transportation rules. The old rules have been in effect since 2006 with some later amendments.
Part of the upcoming adjustments concerns the transportation of large breed dogs — those taller than 45 centimeters at the withers. The following changes await their guardians:
- Service dogs will be allowed to travel in all carriages for free with a muzzle and on a leash.
- Large dogs will be allowed to travel in both regular compartments and sleeper carriages (higher class carriages). Under the current rules, large dogs are not allowed in sleeper carriages. According to the new rules, the guardian will need to purchase all the seats in the compartment.
- Large dogs will be able to travel on “Intercity” and “Intercity+” trains. Guardians will need to purchase all the seats in one block. The requirement to buy a ticket for the dog remains. The large dog must have a muzzle and be on a leash.
And these are the changes for owners of smaller animals:
- Small animals will be allowed to be transported not only in carriers and backpacks. The new rules will not require a “rigid structure” for carriers. Instead, it will be necessary to provide a bedding with an absorbent bottom.
- Animals up to 45 centimeters at the withers will be allowed to travel temporarily without a carrier and move more freely.
Additionally, Ukrzaliznytsia notes that alternative seats will be provided for passengers with allergies to animals if someone with an animal is traveling nearby.
In suburban trains, the requirement to transport large dogs in the vestibule remains. The guardian must purchase a seat near the vestibule.
The impetus for the changes was an incident in March when a soldier, Valerii, and his service labrador, Ermi, had to travel from Chernihiv to Kyiv in the vestibule of an “Intercity” train due to the current rules of Ukrzaliznytsia.
UAnimals’ lawyers proposed to review the animal transportation requirements. Specialists from Ukrzaliznytsia, UAnimals, and the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure worked together on the draft changes.
The changes are currently under consideration. We will inform you when the new rules come into effect.
Do not leave your animals alone. Although not all of them like to travel, no one should be left alone without care for long!
