The art. 16 of the D.P.R. 11 July 1980 n. 753 says: "New rules regarding the police, safety and regularity of the working of the railways and other transport services" and in the part concerning the general dispositions it establishes that "the transport of animals with the travellers, where admitted, is regulated by proper dispositions promulgated by the operating concern".

In 1950 the Ministry of Transport supplied with instructions on the matter through the circulars 21/3 and 21/4 by allowing the transport, on the extra-urban line buses, of dogs of limited sizes (to be held in arms without disturbing the other travellers), wearing muzzle and leash, by paying a ticket at the same tariff of the travellers. In the circulars they stated that the transport could be forbidden in case of overcrowding of the buses and in case they thought that the transport of animals could disturb the travellers.

Previously the Ministry had laid down rules for the transport of the hunting dogs, by allowing it on the morning runs (before 8.00 a.m.) and the evening/night runs (after 8.00 p.m.) in the hunting period and limited to one only dog each traveller and with a maximum of four dogs present on each coach.

The State Railways allow the free transport of small pets kept in suitable containers of maximum sizes 70*50*30 in order to avoid any trouble to the travellers and to the coaches. For each container exceeding the allowed sizes and for any extra container, you have to pay a reduced second class ticket. In case of damage or disturb to the other travellers a penalty of € 7,75= is foreseen and you are obliged to get off at the first train stop.

With the payment of a reduced ticket small loose dogs can be carried, provided that the other travellers permit it and that the owner holds the dog on his knee; also middle and big sized dogs, wearing muzzle and leash can be carried in compartments rented entirely or in the platforms of the coaches always under the conditions that they do not disturb. The guide dogs of the blind are carried without payment on any train.

After the attribution to the regions of the competence regarding the local public transport, also some regional laws have provided on the matter, by fixing in certain cases the tariffs to apply.

With respect to the above and to the possible regional dispositions, the enterprises can regulate the transport of small animals on the extra-urban line buses according to the following principles:

• favouring and guaranteeing above all the transport of the travellers, by prohibiting the one of the animals in case of overcrowding of the coaches or disturb of the passengers;
• allowing the transport of small animals in suitable containers or wearing the leash and the muzzle, by paying the ticket at the same tariff of the traveller;
• obliging a traveller travelling with an animal, to indemnify possible damages provoked by his animal, by leaving the coach if it disturbs the other passengers.

Regulation of Cavourese:

• Transport of small animals is allowed, if there is not overcrowding and if they do not disturb the other passengers, provided that the animal is kept in a container or wearing the leash and the muzzle (to be held on the knee) and with payment of a ticket of the same tariff of the traveller.
• The traveller is obliged to indemnify the damages caused by the animal and to leave the coach in case it disturbs the other passengers.
  
   

Ultimo aggiornamento pagina: 18/11/2008 19.01.00