The number of rats in the Faroe Islands has increased in recent years due to mild winters. This growing population is problematic as rats prey on bird and hare young and can cause significant damage to property.

The Environmental Protection Act requires individuals to do everything possible to limit the living conditions for rats on their property. This means that grounds, houses, and installations, such as sewage systems, must be in good condition. This reduces the chances of rats establishing themselves.

The law also requires municipalities to organize rat extermination efforts. If rats are causing problems in any area, residents can contact the municipality for help and guidance on the best ways to prevent rats.

The most common type of rat in the Faroe Islands is the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus. If living conditions are good (i.e., plenty of food), brown rats can breed year-round. The gestation period for a female rat is only 21 days, and she can give birth up to five times a year, with up to 14 young per litter, though the average is around seven. Rats reach sexual maturity after five weeks, meaning the female rat population can increase three and a half times in just eight weeks under favorable conditions. This means the population can increase tenfold in just 15 weeks.

HOW TO BEST PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY AGAINST RATS

Below are some tips on how to prevent rats from entering.

• Remove clutter and waste from outside.
• Stack building materials and other items off the ground and as far from buildings as possible.
• Do not leave food or leftovers outside.
• Dispose of such waste in designated waste collection areas.
• Take slaughter waste and offal to the landfill.
• Be careful not to overfeed chickens or other poultry on your property, as this significantly increases the risk of rats.
• Do not feed birds more than they can eat in a day. Get bird feeders for the birds. See the poultry regulations for more information.

HOW TO PROTECT BUILDINGS AGAINST RATS

Rats can enter through holes larger than 1.8 cm.

Below are some tips on how to prevent rats from entering.

• Repair cracks and holes in buildings. For example, holes can be stuffed with chicken wire before being sealed with cement.
• Use ventilation grilles made of material that rats cannot penetrate and secure them well.
• Protect holes in walls and masonry for cables, pipes, etc., with chicken wire or metal plates.
• Close doors and windows to attics and basements that are not in use.
• Keep drainage systems sealed and repair any damage as soon as possible.

DANGER SIGNS

Rats are shy and cautious and are most active at night. Therefore, it is not common to see live rats. Seeing a rat in daylight is a sign that there are many rats present.

Holes in the ground often indicate outdoor rat activity. In undeveloped areas, a hole with excavated material nearby is often a sign of rats. A round hole without excavated material, near sewage lines, is often a sign of rats and sewage damage. If rats have been indoors for a long time, they leave tracks on beams, floors, walls, and similar surfaces. Rats leave a brownish trail of grease and dirt along their paths. Rats use these trails to navigate.

At night, noises from the attic or between walls can be caused by rats. However, it is usually only the droppings and urine marks that are visible.

REPORTING

The most important aspect of the fight against rats is the reports made by citizens. It is crucial that anyone who sees a rat or rat tracks immediately contacts Vágur Municipality. If you have problems with rats or have seen a rat, you should contact Vágur Municipality at 663000. The municipal representative for rat extermination will then get in touch with you.

Act on Dogs, amended by Act No. 91 of June 7, 2020

§ 1.** The owner of a dog must ensure that the dog wears a collar with a tag displaying the owner's name and address from the age of 4 months.

Subsection 1:** The government can set more detailed rules regarding the appearance of the tags mentioned in subsection 1.

§ 2.** It is prohibited to keep a dog in places where no one resides unless permission is granted by the police. Such permission can only be given if adequate security is ensured that the dog will be well cared for, and the permission can be revoked at any time.

§ 3.** Dogs are not allowed to roam freely on streets, roads, paths, or areas open to the public unless they are on a leash or under the full control of a person. A dog cannot be considered to have a handler simply because it is being monitored from the owner's house or workplace. If the dog is on a leash, it must be short enough to keep the dog close to the handler. If a dog is found roaming without a handler who has full control, the police will pick it up and notify the owner. If the dog does not have a collar and tag as required by § 1, an announcement will be made to find the owner. If the owner does not claim the dog within 72 hours of the notification or announcement and pay the fees incurred from the pick-up, the police can either rehome or euthanize the dog. Any surplus belongs to the owner if claimed within 3 months, provided they prove ownership; otherwise, it goes to the municipality where the dog was picked up. The government can set more detailed rules about the handling of picked-up dogs.

Subsection 2:** The town council can, in consultation with the police, appoint one or more people authorized to pick up dogs, per subsection 1. These individuals may work across multiple municipalities.

Subsection 3:** The town council provides suitable facilities free of charge for the police to hold picked-up dogs. Multiple municipalities can share these facilities. Additionally, the town council is responsible for ensuring that the dogs are well cared for during their stay.

Subsection 4:** The town council can set a fee to cover the costs of picking up and holding a dog. If the fee is not paid by the owner, the municipality bears the costs.

Subsection 5:** The government, upon recommendation from the town council, can require that dogs in the municipality on the mentioned locations in subsection 1 must be leashed. For traffic and sheep herding, the rule in subsection 1, point 1, can be enforced on designated roads or areas not mentioned here upon recommendation from the town council.

Subsection 6:** From sunset to sunrise, but at least from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, dogs must always be leashed, kept indoors, or securely tied up. This rule does not apply to dogs used by public authorities or approved sheepdogs used for herding.

Subsection 7:** Outside the areas mentioned in subsection 1, the owner must ensure that the dog does not roam freely. The rules in subsection 1, points 4-8, also apply to roaming dogs.

Subsection 8:** Aggressive dogs roaming freely must not be used as guard dogs without police permission.

Subsection 9:** It is prohibited to walk a dog on a leash from a motor vehicle, horse-drawn carriage, or while riding a horse.

§ 4.** If a dog disturbs neighbors by barking or whining persistently and a complaint is made to the police, the owner must either keep the dog indoors or, if that does not help or the dog is already indoors, get rid of it.

§ 5.** It is prohibited to keep a dog permanently tied up.

Subsection 2:** When a dog is tied up, the leash must be at least 5 meters long, and the dog must have enough space to shelter from rain, wind, and cold. If there is a doghouse, it must be spacious and high enough for the dog to stand up without hitting the roof.

§ 6.** The dog owner must take all necessary measures to prevent the dog from causing harm.

Subsection 2:** If a dog has previously caused harm, and the owner was fined or compensated the damage by court order, agreement, or settlement, the sheriff must require the owner to euthanize the dog unless it is kept indoors or fitted with a secure muzzle. This condition may be imposed if the dog is aggressive, habitually causes public disturbances on streets, roads, paths, or places open to the public, jumps on or chases people, or harasses livestock at home or in the wild. If the dog is moved to another municipality, town, or city, the owner must notify the local police of the condition.

Subsection 3:** A dog that attacks and injures livestock, especially sheep and lambs, at home or in the wild, can be shot.

§ 7.** It is prohibited to run a business or offer commercial dog boarding or breeding without police permission.

§ 8.** The dog owner is liable for any damage caused by the dog. If it is proven that the injured party contributed to the incident, compensation may be reduced or eliminated.

Subsection 2:** The dog owner must have liability insurance for the dog. The insurance company is directly liable to the injured party for compensation as per subsection 1.

Subsection 3:** The government will set detailed rules for implementing subsection 2 in consultation with the insurance company.

§ 9.** If a lawsuit is filed against an insurance company by someone who suffered damage, the company must notify the dog owner of each court session within the timeframe specified in § 217 of the Civil Procedure Act, applicable to witnesses in civil cases. The notice must state the contents of subsection 2.

Subsection 2:** The person receiving the notice as per subsection 1 can become a party to the case by notifying the court. If not, the decision on compensation by judgment or settlement is binding.

§ 10.** If a criminal case is initiated for a violation that caused damage, leading to a compensation claim under § 8, the injured party must be given the opportunity to file a compensation claim. If no settlement is reached, the compensation claim will be decided during the trial, even if the accused is not convicted. Such a decision can be made before or after the penalty decision. In complex cases involving property damage, the court may refuse to decide the compensation claim during the trial if no settlement is reached.

Subsection 2:** The insurance company covering the dog's liability, if the dog caused damage, is considered a party in the compensation matter and must be notified of each court session with a notice period as per § 222 of the Civil Procedure Act, applicable to witnesses in criminal cases.

Subsection 3:** If a criminal case is initiated against someone other than the dog owner who caused the damage, the dog owner must also be summoned to each court session with a notice as specified in subsection 2. The rule in § 9, subsection 2, also applies.

Subsection 4:** When the compensation matter is decided in court, the court can impose legal costs and fees as per Chapter 40 of the Civil Procedure Act, as if the case were handled under civil law procedures. The litigation value will be specified in the judgment.

§ 11.** If a criminal case is appealed to a higher court, where a compensation claim decision has been made, any party involved in the compensation matter is also a party in the appeal if the compensation issue is to be decided.

Subsection 2:** The opportunity to appeal under § 1022 of the Civil Procedure Act, according to civil procedure rules, is open to anyone involved in the compensation matter. In the case of an appeal under § 10, subsection 1, a decision made separately on penalty or compensation is considered a separate judgment. § 1020, last subsection of the Civil Procedure Act, does not apply in these cases.

§ 12.** Anyone who:

1. Violates § 1, subsection 1, § 2, § 3, subsection 1, points 1-4, § 3, subsections 6-9, § 5, § 6, subsection 1, and § 7 or § 8, subsection 2,
2. Disregards orders given under § 4 or § 6, subsection 2, or
3. Violates conditions of a permit,

will be fined.

Subsection 2:** The same fine applies to anyone who sets a dog on someone or fails to restrain a dog when it attacks someone.

Subsection 3:** Regulations issued under § 1, subsection 2, may impose fines for violations. The same fine may be imposed for violating rules set by the government under § 3, subsection 5.

Subsection 4:** For violations committed by companies, corporations, partnerships, etc., the entity may be fined. If the violation is committed by a municipality or municipal association, the municipality or association may be fined.

§ 13.** The general rules on fines and compensation and euthanasia do not apply to damage caused by sheepdogs in communal grazing areas to sheep during the first and second time out in the communal grazing area.

§ 14.** This law comes into force on July 1, 1990.

Subsection 2:** Upon the law's entry into force, Order No. 88 of March 31, 1928, amended by Act No. 127 of April 18, 1925, regarding dog tax and penalties and compensation caused by dogs, implemented in the Faroe Islands

Regulations for Poultry Keeping (Domestic Animal Keeping) in Vágur Municipality

Pursuant to § 26 in Regulation No. 53 of May 3, 1994, on environmental rules, with subsequent amendments, these regulations are enacted.

Scope and Descriptions

§ 1. The regulation applies to outdoor keeping of poultry in Vágur Municipality.

Subsection 2. The regulation does not apply to commercial activities that have environmental approval according to Chapter 5 of Act No. 134 of October 29, 1988, on environmental protection.

Subsection 3. Poultry includes chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, and other birds.

Requirements for Poultry Keeping

§ 2. In all densely populated areas (urban-like settlements) in the municipality, those who wish to keep poultry must do so in accordance with these regulations.

Subsection 2. Those intending to keep poultry should notify their nearest neighbors and may inquire with the municipality if there are any uncertainties.

Subsection 3. Poultry keeping already established before these regulations come into force may continue as is but may be subject to the rules in §§ 3-5, including potential requirements or prohibitions.

Requirements for Coops, Pens, Fences, Houses, and the Like

§ 3. Coops, houses, or similar structures for poultry must be at least 2.5 meters from the neighbor's boundary.

Subsection 2. Fences must either be completely closed or be at least 0.5 meters from the neighbor's boundary if they are hedges, lattice fences, or similar.

Subsection 3. The fence must be built securely to prevent other birds from flying in, and if necessary, a net should be stretched over it.

Subsection 4. Coops and houses should be raised 0.35 meters above ground level to prevent rats. However, goose houses may be dug into the ground.

Subsection 5. It is not allowed to have poultry roaming freely on streets, roads, or other areas open to general traffic or public access.

Subsection 6. Roosters must not be kept outdoors between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM.

Feed and the Like

§ 4. Feed must be stored in rat-proof containers.

Subsection 2. Leftovers from domestic animal keeping may only be given as feed if the excess is removed immediately after being given, and no later than in the evening.

Subsection 3. Coops, houses, etc., must be regularly cleaned and maintained. Fences must be kept in good condition.

Subsection 4. Manure from poultry keeping must either be disposed of at the landfill or buried on one's own land, at least 2.5 meters from the neighbor's boundary.

Complaints, Orders, Conditions, and Prohibitions

§ 5. Complaints about violations of these regulations should be sent to Vágur Municipality. If poultry keeping, despite these regulations, causes nuisances such as odor, noise, excessive flies, or rats, Vágur Municipality can order the owner to comply with the regulations. If the orders are not followed, the municipality can prohibit the keeping. The municipality can also issue specific orders for improvements or changes to poultry keeping.

Exceptions

§ 6. In special cases, especially with the consent of neighbors, Vágur Municipality can grant minor deviations from the provisions in §§ 2-4 upon request.

Appeals

§ 7. Orders or prohibitions issued by Vágur Municipality under these regulations can be appealed to the Environmental Agency within 4 weeks. If the appeal deadline falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it is extended to the next business day.

Penalties

§ 8. Failure to comply with orders or prohibitions may result in a fine, pursuant to § 41, subsection 1, point 3 in the environmental regulations with subsequent amendments.

Validity

§ 9. These regulations, adopted by the town council on August 28, 2017, and approved by the Environmental Agency on September 28, 2017, come into force on October 15, 2017.