Law No. 8/2017 establishing the legal status of animals. Country/Territory Portugal Document type Legislation Date 2017 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Diário da República, I Serie, No. 45, 3 March 2017. Subject Livestock Keyword Animal welfare Animal health Geographical area Europe, Europe and Central Asia, European Union Countries, North Atlantic, North-East Atlantic, Southern Europe Entry into force notes This Law enters into force on the first day of the second month following its publication. Abstract This Law establishes that animals are living beings endowed with sensitivity and object of legal protection by virtue of their nature. It provides for the legal status of animals, recognizing their nature as sentient beings by amending the Civil Code, approved by Decree-Law No. 47344 of 25 November 1966, of the Code of Procedure Civil Law, approved by Law No. 41/2013, of 26 June and of the Penal Code, approved by Decree-Law No. 400/82 of 23 September. Full text Portuguese Website www.dre.pt