A dog or cat can be taken away: for which violations animal owners face a fine of up to 5 thousand hryvnias
In Ukraine, legislation establishes liability for cruel treatment of animals, as well as for violations of the rules for their keeping and walking. Depending on the nature of the violation, pet owners may face fines, administrative arrest, or confiscation of the animal by court decision.
Liability for cruel treatment of animals
Cruel treatment is understood as actions or inaction that cause the animal pain, suffering, or create a threat to its life and health.
For cruel treatment of animals, if such actions did not cause injury or death, a fine from 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnias is provided.
Such violations may include, in particular, leaving an animal unattended in conditions that pose a danger to its life or health.
The "Judicial and Legal Newspaper" previously separately drew attention to punishments for cruel treatment of animals.
Repeated violations and cases involving multiple animals
If a person commits a similar offense again within a year or if the cruel treatment concerns two or more animals, the liability is increased.
In such cases, a fine from 5,100 to 8,500 hryvnias or administrative arrest for up to 15 days is provided.
By court decision, confiscation or seizure of the animal may also be applied in cases provided by law.
Violations of the rules for keeping dogs and cats
Administrative liability is also provided for violations of the rules for keeping dogs and cats.
In particular, violations may include keeping animals in places where it is prohibited, failure to comply with established rules for their keeping, as well as other violations of requirements defined by legislation and local regulations.
Also, we wrote that selling kittens online without complying with legislative requirements and necessary registration can result in fines.
Violations of walking rules
Dog owners are obliged to follow the rules for walking animals. Walking dogs without a leash, and in cases where it is required by the rules, without a muzzle, as well as walking in unauthorized places, may result in a fine from 170 to 340 hryvnias.
For repeated violations within a year, the fine ranges from 340 to 510 hryvnias.
In many communities, there is also an obligation to clean up after pets in public places. Failure to comply with such requirements may result in fines according to local improvement rules.
If the animal caused damage
If a pet causes harm to a person's health or property, the owner is responsible.
For such violations, a fine from 1,700 to 3,400 hryvnias is provided, with the possibility of confiscating the animal.
In addition to administrative liability, the owner is obliged to compensate for property or moral damage in the manner prescribed by civil law.
Violations of improvement rules
If as a result of a pet's actions objects of improvement, green spaces, or other property are damaged, the owner may be held liable for violating the settlement's improvement rules.
Additionally, the cost of restoring the damaged property or incurred losses may be recovered from them.
Animal attacks on people
If a pet causes harm to a person due to improper supervision, the owner may be held administratively liable with a fine from 1,700 to 3,400 hryvnias.
The injured party also has the right to claim compensation for damages in court. In cases provided by law, the court may decide on the seizure or confiscation of the animal.
Recall that the "Judicial and Legal Newspaper" wrote about a case where the court obliged a dog owner to pay 30 thousand hryvnias in compensation because her dog bit a child.
In addition, attention was drawn to what to do if you witness cruel treatment of an animal.
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