Prague to Ban Street Performances with Animals

New regulation targets organized groups, but a complete ban on begging with animals remains legally impossible.

Prague city councilors have approved an amendment to the public ordinance, prohibiting street performers from using animals in their acts.

The rule primarily targets foreign groups operating in the city’s historic center. Violators of the new regulation face financial fines, with foreign offenders potentially facing deportation.

However, despite this crackdown on street performances, a blanket ban on begging with animals in Prague is not possible, as begging is considered a basic human right.

“This amendment will ban future outdoor performances involving animals, whether the animal plays an active or passive role,” explained Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09), Prague’s deputy mayor.

Animal Welfare Concerns

Concerns about animal welfare and public safety largely drive the new rule. Animals used in street performances are often subjected to high levels of stress and can behave unpredictably, posing a risk to passersby.

Pospíšil mentioned that in consultation with city police and the Regional Veterinary Administration, specific instances of animal abuse were documented. “These are clear cases of mistreatment, sometimes bordering on cruelty. We have groups of foreign nationals who, for example, play the accordion while using animals to appeal to the emotions of tourists and locals, effectively soliciting money,” Pospíšil noted.

In some cases, these groups exploit animals as a way to bypass the existing ban on begging in certain parts of Prague. To counter this, Pospíšil proposed a separate amendment to outlaw begging with animals, but the measure was blocked due to a legal ruling.

Begging and Legal Challenges

“The Ministry of the Interior holds that begging is a basic constitutional right,” Pospíšil explained. This legal opinion is based on a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, which makes it impossible to impose a blanket ban on begging with animals across the city.

As a result, the ban only applies in designated areas, such as around Charles Bridge and other key tourist hotspots.

For foreign offenders who breach the new ordinance, Pospíšil has requested their expulsion from the country. However, enforcing financial penalties has proven challenging, with many fines remaining unpaid.

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