Animal cruelty in Ukraine is considered not only a violation of moral standards but also an unlawful act subject to administrative and criminal liability. Offenders may face substantial fines, arrest, restriction of liberty or long-term imprisonment. This was reported by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
Ukrainian law establishes clear rules for keeping, handling and transporting animals. Penalties for violating these requirements apply not only to pet owners but also to anyone who commits acts of cruelty against stray or wild animals.
What is considered animal cruelty
Animal cruelty refers to actions or inaction that cause an animal pain, suffering, injury or mutilation, or result in its death. A list of such acts is contained in the Law of Ukraine “On the Protection of Animals from Cruelty.”
Animal cruelty includes:
- beating, injuring, poisoning, mutilating or killing animals;
- leaving animals unattended in a vehicle when the air temperature is above +20°C or below +5°C;
- keeping an animal tethered without access to shelter when the temperature is above +20°C or below 0°C;
- using training methods that cause pain or harm to an animal’s health;
- tying an animal to a vehicle and forcing it to run;
- setting animals against each other for hooligan or financial motives;
- other actions that cause animals suffering or endanger their life or health.
Administrative liability for animal cruelty
If cruelty does not result in bodily injury, mutilation or the death of an animal, the offender may be held administratively liable.
Such actions are punishable by a fine of between UAH 3,400 and UAH 5,100.
If the offence is repeated within one year, involves several animals or is committed by a group of people, the fine increases to UAH 5,100–8,500.
The law also provides for administrative detention for up to 15 days.
If leaving the animal with its owner poses a threat to its life or health, the court may order the confiscation of the animal.
Criminal liability for animal cruelty
Criminal liability applies to cruelty against vertebrate animals, including dogs, cats, birds, cows, goats and other animals, if such actions result in mutilation or death, are committed for hooligan or financial motives, or involve setting animals against each other.
Under Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, such offences are punishable by:
- restriction of liberty for a term of one to three years;
- imprisonment for a term of two to three years;
- confiscation of the animal in cases provided for by law.
When the punishment becomes more severe
More severe penalties apply when aggravating circumstances increase the danger of the offence to society.
Those who commit acts of cruelty in the presence of children may face imprisonment for three to five years, along with confiscation of the animal.
If the offence is committed repeatedly, by a group of people, against two or more animals, or with particular cruelty, the offender may face imprisonment for five to eight years, along with confiscation of the animal.
Liability for distributing materials depicting animal cruelty
Separate criminal liability applies to the creation, sale, distribution or public display of photographs, videos and audio materials that promote animal cruelty.
Such actions are punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to eight years.
What to do if you witness animal cruelty
If you witness animal cruelty, you should report it to the police as soon as possible. Where possible, the circumstances of the incident should be recorded in photographs or video, and witnesses should also be identified.
The collected evidence may play an important role in holding the offender accountable. Every case of animal cruelty should receive an appropriate legal assessment in accordance with Ukrainian law.
Tags: animal cruelty, liability for animals, punishment for animal cruelty, Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, animal protection, animal rights in Ukraine, fine for animal cruelty, criminal liability, animal confiscation, animal protection law, Ukrainian police, pets, stray animals.
Source: save-animals.info