Justice ministry proposes stricter laws against animal abuse

“We’re sending a strong signal of zero tolerance towards degenerates" who abuse animals, Deputy Justice Minister Patryk Jaki said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Under a bill drafted by the ministry, mistreatment of animals would carry a sentence of up to five years in prison. At present, the maximum prison term for extreme cases of cruelty is three years.

The proposed legislation also introduces a maximum financial penalty of PLN 100,000 (EUR 23,000) and a lifetime ban on performing jobs related to animal services.

Also, courts will be able to award punitive damages reaching PLN 100,000 (EUR 23,000) to animal rights organisations.

The draft bill is to undergo cross-ministerial consultations in the near future, Jaki added.

Two other reform proposals are being discussed by the Parliamentary Group for Friends of Animals and the opposition Nowoczesna (Modern) party. Both draft bills impose a ban on chaining animals, using animals in circuses and fur farms.

Cases of animals being dismembered, buried alive or set on fire have repeatedly made headlines in Poland.

Earlier this month, a man in the northwestern city of Szczecinek skinned a live cat.

In another recent case, a dog had a hook inserted into its body as a means of attaching it to a chain. The perpetrator was given a suspended sentence of two years in prison.

Proceedings related to animal abuse in Poland are often either discontinued or end in suspended sentences. (aba/pk)

Source: PAP