Italian senators have been granted permission to bring their dogs to work following the approval of amendments to the Senate’s safety regulations. This change comes after a year-and-a-half-long campaign led by Senator Michaela Biancofiore, who expressed her desire to bring her pug, Paggi, to the Senate.
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Her efforts gained momentum in October when she received support from Senate President Ignazio La Russa, who is also a dog owner and has a German shepherd.
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The new regulations, which took several months to finalize, specifically allow only dogs, excluding other pets, to accompany senators, their assistants, and administrative staff to the Madama Palace, the Senate’s headquarters in central Rome. Each individual is permitted to bring one dog, provided they specify their workplace and the route they will take within the building.
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The rules stipulate that dogs must either be carried in a pet carrier if they are small or kept on a leash no longer than 1.5 meters if they are larger. Access to certain areas, such as offices and Senate chambers, is restricted, and dogs are only allowed in corridors and stairwells for the minimal time required to move through these spaces. Additionally, dogs must enter the building through designated alternative entrances.
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To ensure safety and hygiene, the amendments require that all dogs brought into the Senate be up-to-date on vaccinations, possess a veterinary passport, and demonstrate “mental balance” to ensure they are well-behaved in the workplace. This new policy reflects a growing recognition of the benefits of pets in the workplace while maintaining necessary safeguards.
