Left a dog in a car in the heat: owners face fines up to 8,500 hryvnias
Cruelty to animals in Ukraine entails administrative or criminal liability depending on the severity of the offense. Offenders who abuse animals may face fines, administrative arrest, confiscation of the animal, and in some cases — imprisonment for up to 8 years.
What is considered cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals is considered actions or inaction that cause them physical pain and suffering, lead to injuries, mutilation, or death. Such violations include abuse of both domestic and stray animals, abandonment, as well as failure to comply with rules of keeping, handling, or transporting animals.
In particular, cruelty includes beating, injuring, poisoning, mutilating, or killing animals, leaving them unattended in a car at air temperatures above +20°C or below +5°C, as well as keeping them tied up without the possibility to hide at temperatures above +20°C or below 0°C. It is prohibited to train animals by methods harmful to their health, force them to run while tied to a vehicle, or incite animals against each other for hooligan or mercenary motives.
The full list of prohibited actions is defined by the Law of Ukraine "On the Protection of Animals from Cruelty."
What fines are provided for cruelty to animals
For abuse that caused physical pain and suffering but did not result in bodily injury, mutilation, or death, as well as for abandonment or violation of rules of keeping and transporting animals, administrative liability is provided.
For the first offense involving one animal, a fine from 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnias is imposed.
If the offense is repeated, concerns several animals, or is committed by a group of persons, the fine ranges from 5,100 to 8,500 hryvnias. Alternatively, the court may impose administrative arrest for up to 15 days.
When can an animal be confiscated from the owner
If the continued presence of the animal with the owner poses a threat to its life or health, the animal may be confiscated by decision of authorized bodies.
Criminal liability for cruelty to animals
Criminal liability arises for cruelty to vertebrate animals, including cats, dogs, cattle, goats, or birds, if such actions led to mutilation or death of the animal, involved inciting animals against each other, were committed with hooligan or mercenary motives, or were accompanied by calls or propaganda of cruelty.
What punishment threatens for killing or mutilating an animal
Such actions are punishable by restriction of liberty for one to three years or imprisonment for two to three years with confiscation of the animal.
The harshest punishment is established for creating, selling, or distributing products that promote cruelty to animals, including videos of abuse. For such actions, the guilty may face five to eight years of imprisonment with confiscation of the animal.
What to do if you witness cruelty to an animal
If a person witnesses cruelty to an animal, experts advise immediately calling the police, stopping the illegal actions if possible without risking personal safety, and providing assistance to the animal.
It is also important to document the circumstances — take photos or videos, record the address and contacts of witnesses. These materials can serve as evidence when bringing the guilty to justice.
Additionally, you can contact animal protection organizations or volunteers who will help with rescue, treatment, and further placement of the animal.
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