How to report animal abuse and what are the penalties?

What acts amount to mistreatment of an animal?

Every animal is a sensitive being and must be placed by its owner in conditions compatible with the biological imperatives of its species.

It is prohibited to ill-treat a domestic animal or a wild animal that is tamed or held captive.

The following acts shall be prohibited in particular:

• Depriving an animal of food and water
• Leaving an animal unattended in case of illness or injury
• Place and maintain an animal in a habitat or environment that may cause suffering, injury or accident. This is particularly the case when the habitat is too small, does not offer climatic conditions that can be tolerated by the animal or comprises equipment, installations or arrangements that are unsuitable for the animal.
• Use, except where absolutely necessary, fastening, restraining, fencing, cages or any means of holding that is not suitable for the animal or that may cause injury or suffering.

How to report mistreatment of an animal?

If you witness an act of animal abuse or have spotted content on the internet, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by performing a confidential and anonymous reporting by means of form next:

Report animal abuse

In the event of an emergency or ongoing events which requires a immediate response for the survival of the animal, alert the police or gendarmerie.

You can also contact the veterinary services the departmental directorate for the protection of populations and/or a animal protection association.

As much detail as possible on the facts and location must be provided so that an investigation can be opened, if possible with supporting photos or video.

National animal welfare associations and foundations can be contacted by phone and/or email. Some associations or foundations have established reporting applications. This information is available on their website.

National animal welfare associations and foundations have a network of informants and investigators linked to the gendarmerie and veterinary services.

If you see cases of abuse on the internet, also report it on the Pharos site. This site is managed by specialized police and gendarmes.

If your pet has been abused, you can lodge a complaint. You can contact an animal protection association for advice and assistance in your process.

What are the penalties incurred by the perpetrator of ill-treatment of an animal?

Any person who raises, keeps or detains a domestic animal or a wild animal tamed or held in captivity and who willfully, without necessity, publicly or otherwise, abuses him shall be liable to a fine of €750.

The police court may decide to entrust the animal definitively to an animal protection association.

Where a professional unnecessarily practices or allows to be practiced ill-treatment of animals in his care, he shall be liable to 1 year in prison and €15,000 of a fine.

This applies to institutions carrying out the following activities:

• Sale
• Grooming
• Transit
• Guard
• Education
• Training
• Private security, surveillance, guarding, physical protection of persons or property
• Impound
• Refuge
• Establishment for the slaughter or transport of live animals
• Breeding.

The correctional court may order the confiscation of the animal and provide that it be handed over to an animal protection association.

The court may also impose the following additional penalties on the professional perpetrator:

• Prohibition, definitive or not, of keeping an animal
• Prohibition of exercising a professional or social activity for a maximum period of 5 years if this activity has made it possible to prepare or commit acts of abuse. However, this prohibition may not apply to the exercise of an elected mandate or trade union responsibilities.

The establishment employing the professional perpetrator of the abuse shall be liable to a fine of €75,000 and the following penalties:

• Permanent closure or for a period of 5 years
• Confiscation of animals
• Permanent prohibition or for a maximum of 5 years to keep an animal.

The act of voluntarily recording, by any means and on any medium whatsoever, images of ill-treatment of an animal constitutes an act of complicity.

The person making the recording shall be liable to a fine of €750.

The act of disseminating the recording of such images on the Internet is punishable by 2 years in prison and €30,000 of a fine.

This does not apply if the recording, possession, dissemination or viewing of these images is intended to contribute to a public debate of general interest or to serve as evidence in court.

How to report an animal abandonment?

If you witness the abandonment of an animal or have spotted content on the internet, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by performing a confidential and anonymous reporting by means of form next:

Report animal abuse

As much detail as possible on the facts and location must be provided so that an investigation can be opened, if possible with supporting photos or video.

If you see cases of abandonment on the internet, report it also on the Pharos site. This site is managed by specialized police and gendarmes.

What are the penalties for abandonment?

The abandonment of a domestic animal or a wild animal tamed or held in captivity is punishable by 3 years in prison and €45,000 of a fine.

An aggravating circumstance is the knowingly abandoning of the animal in conditions that pose a risk of immediate or imminent death. In this case, the author faces 4 years in prison and €60,000 of a fine.

If abandonment has caused death of the animal, the author faces 5 years in prison and €75,000 of a fine.

In case of conviction of the owner of the animal or if the owner is unknown, the correctional court decide on the fate of the animal, whether or not it has been placed during the judicial proceedings.

The court may order the confiscation of the animal and provide that it be handed over to an animal welfare association.

The court may also order the additional penalties following:

• Prohibition, definitive or not, of keeping an animal
• Prohibition of exercising definitively or for a maximum period of 5 years a professional or social activity if this activity has made it possible to prepare for or commit abandonment. However, this prohibition may not apply to the exercise of an elected mandate or trade union responsibilities.

The judge may, instead of or at the same time as imprisonment, order the convicted person to perform a awareness-raising course on the prevention and fight against animal abuse.

The maximum duration of the internship is one month. It is carried out at the expense of the convicted person. Its cost cannot exceed €450.

The internship must be completed within 6 months of the date of the final conviction, unless the behavior or situation of the convicted person makes it impossible to execute within this 6-month period.

How do I report abuse or cruelty to an animal?

If you witness abuse or cruelty committed against an animal or have spotted content on the internet, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by performing a confidential and anonymous reporting by means of form next:

Report animal abuse

In the event of an emergency or ongoing events which requires a immediate response for the survival of the animal, alert the police or gendarmerie.

You can also contact the veterinary services the departmental directorate for the protection of populations and/or a animal protection association.

As much detail as possible on the facts and location must be provided so that an investigation can be opened, if possible with supporting photos or video.

National animal welfare associations and foundations can be contacted by phone and/or email. Some associations or foundations have established reporting applications. This information is available on their website.

National animal welfare associations and foundations have a network of informants and investigators linked to the gendarmerie and veterinary services.

If you see cases of abuse or cruelty on the internet, also report it on the Pharos site. This site is managed by specialized police and gendarmes.

If your pet has been the victim of abuse or cruelty, you can lodge a complaint. You can contact an animal protection association for advice and assistance in your process.

What are the penalties incurred by the perpetrator of abuse or cruelty to an animal?

The act, whether publicly or not, of inflicting serious ill-treatment or committing an act of cruelty against a domestic animal or a wild animal tamed or held in captivity, shall be punished by 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 of a fine.

The act of abuse or the act of cruelty on an animal kept by an official who performs a public service mission is an aggravating circumstance of the offense.

The fact ofbe the owner or custodian of the animal is an aggravating circumstance.

The act of abuse or the act of cruelty in the presence of a minor is also an aggravating circumstance.

Where the acts are committed with aggravating circumstances, the author shall be liable to 4 years' imprisonment and €60,000 of a fine.

If the abuse or cruelty resulted in the death of the animal, the perpetrator shall be liable to 5 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of a fine.

In case of conviction of the owner of the animal or if the owner is unknown, the correctional court decide on the fate of the animal, whether or not it has been placed during the judicial proceedings.

The court may order the confiscation of the animal and provide that it be handed over to an animal welfare association.

The court may also order the additional penalties following:

• Prohibition, definitive or not, of keeping an animal
• Prohibition of exercising definitively or for a maximum period of 5 years a professional or social activity if this activity has made it possible to prepare or commit the serious abuse or act of cruelty. However, this prohibition may not apply to the exercise of an elected mandate or trade union responsibilities.

The act of voluntarily recording, by any means and on any medium whatsoever, images of the abuse or acts of cruelty committed on the animal constitutes an act of complicity.

The perpetrator of the registration shall be liable to the same penalties as the perpetrator of the abuse or act of cruelty, depending on whether there is an aggravating circumstance or not and whether the animal is dead.

The act of disseminating the recording of such images on the Internet is punishable by 2 years in prison and €30,000 of a fine.

This does not apply if the recording, possession, dissemination or viewing of these images is intended to contribute to a public debate of general interest or to serve as evidence in court.

The judge may, instead of or at the same time as imprisonment, order the convicted person to perform a awareness-raising course on the prevention and fight against animal abuse.

The maximum duration of the internship is one month. It is carried out at the expense of the convicted person. Its cost cannot exceed €450.

The internship must be completed within 6 months of the date of the final conviction, unless the behavior or situation of the convicted person makes it impossible to execute within this 6-month period.

How to report sexual abuse of an animal?

If you witness sexual abuse of an animal or have spotted content on the internet, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by performing a confidential and anonymous reporting by means of form next:

Report animal abuse

In the event of an emergency or ongoing events which requires a immediate response for the survival of the animal, alert the police or gendarmerie.

You can also contact the veterinary services the departmental directorate for the protection of populations and/or a animal protection association.

As much detail as possible on the facts and location must be provided so that an investigation can be opened, if possible with supporting photos or video.

National animal welfare associations and foundations can be contacted by phone and/or email. Some associations or foundations have established reporting applications. This information is available on their website.

National animal welfare associations and foundations have a network of informants and investigators linked to the gendarmerie and veterinary services.

If you see cases of sexual abuse of an animal on the internet, also report it on the Pharos site. This site is managed by specialized police and gendarmes.

If your pet has been sexually abused, you can lodge a complaint. You can contact an animal protection association for advice and assistance in your process.

What are the penalties incurred by the perpetrator of sexual abuse of an animal?

Sexual abuse of a domestic animal or wild animal tamed or held in captivity is punishable by 3 years in prison and €45,000 of a fine.

Where the acts are committed in a meeting, in the presence of a minor or by the owner or guardian of the animal, these penalties shall be increased to 4 years' imprisonment and €60,000 of a fine.

In case of conviction of the owner of the animal or if the owner is unknown, the correctional court may order the confiscation of the animal and provide that it be handed over to an animal protection association.

The court may also order the additional penalties following:

• Definitive prohibition of keeping an animal
• Prohibition of definitively exercising a professional or social activity if this activity has allowed to prepare or commit the sexual abuse of the animal. However, this prohibition may not apply to the exercise of an elected mandate or trade union responsibilities.

The fact to register voluntarilyby any means whatsoever and on any medium whatsoever, images of sexual abuse committed against an animal constitutes an act of complicity.

The perpetrator of the recording shall be liable to the same penalties as the perpetrator of the sexual abuse.

The fact of disseminate the recording on the internet such images are punishable by 2 years in prison and €30,000 of a fine.

This does not apply if the recording, possession, dissemination or viewing of these images is intended to contribute to a public debate of general interest or to serve as evidence in court.

Proposing or requesting acts constituting sexual abuse of an animal, by any means whatsoever, shall be punished by one year's imprisonment and €15,000 of a fine.

Making, transporting, broadcasting images pornographic involving one or more animals, by any means whatsoever and whatever the medium, is punished by 3 years in prison and €75,000 fine if these images can be seen by a minor.

Doing business such images shall be punished by the same penalties if they can be seen by a minor.

The judge may, instead of or at the same time as imprisonment, order the convicted person to perform a awareness-raising course on the prevention and fight against animal abuse.

The maximum duration of the internship is one month. It is carried out at the expense of the convicted person. Its cost cannot exceed €450.

The internship must be completed within 6 months of the date of the final conviction, unless the behavior or situation of the convicted person makes it impossible to execute within this 6-month period.

How to report a deliberate infringement on the life of an animal?

If you witness an act aimed at the voluntary killing of an animal or have spotted content on the internet, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by carrying out a confidential and anonymous reporting by means of form next:

Report animal abuse

In the event of an emergency or ongoing events which requires a immediate response for the survival of the animal, alert the police or gendarmerie.

You can also contact the veterinary services the departmental directorate for the protection of populations and/or a animal protection association.

As much detail as possible on the facts and location must be provided so that an investigation can be opened, if possible with supporting photos or video.

National animal welfare associations and foundations can be contacted by phone and/or email. Some associations or foundations have established reporting applications. This information is available on their website.

National animal welfare associations and foundations have a network of informants and investigators linked to the gendarmerie and veterinary services.

If you see cases of deliberate harm to the life of an animal on the internet, also report it on the Pharos site. This site is managed by specialized police and gendarmes.

If your pet has been the victim of a deliberate attack on his life, you can lodge a complaint. You can contact an animal protection association for advice and assistance in your process.

What are the penalties incurred by the perpetrator of a deliberate attack on the life of an animal?

The act, without necessity, publicly or not, of willfully killing a domestic animal or a wild animal tamed or held in captivity, outside any legal activity, is punishable by 6 months' imprisonment and €7,500 of a fine.

The correctional court may also pronounce the additional penalties following:

• Prohibition, definitive or not, of keeping an animal
• Prohibition of exercising a professional or social activity for a maximum period of 5 years if this activity has made it possible to prepare or commit the death of the animal. However, this prohibition may not apply to the exercise of an elected mandate or trade union responsibilities.

The judge may, instead of or at the same time as imprisonment, order the convicted person to perform a awareness-raising course on the prevention and fight against animal abuse.

The maximum duration of the internship is one month. It is carried out at the expense of the convicted person. Its cost cannot exceed €450.

The internship must be completed within 6 months of the date of the final conviction, unless the behavior or situation of the convicted person makes it impossible to execute within this 6-month period.

How do I report an unintentional injury to the life or integrity of an animal?

If you witness an unintentional attack on the life or integrity of an animal or have spotted content on the internet, you can alert the gendarmerie or the national police by performing a confidential and anonymous reporting by means of form next:

Report animal abuse

In the event of an emergency or ongoing events which requires a immediate response for the survival of the animal, alert the police or gendarmerie.

You can also contact the veterinary services the departmental directorate for the protection of populations and/or a animal protection association.

As much detail as possible on the facts and location must be provided so that an investigation can be opened, if possible with supporting photos or video.

National animal welfare associations and foundations can be contacted by phone and/or email. Some associations or foundations have established reporting applications. This information is available on their website.

National animal welfare associations and foundations have a network of informants and investigators linked to the gendarmerie and veterinary services.

If you see cases of unintentional harm to the life or integrity of an animal on the internet, also report it on the Pharos site. This site is managed by specialized police and gendarmes.

If your pet has been the victim of an unintentional attack on its life or integrity, you can lodge a complaint. You can contact an animal protection association for advice and assistance in your process.

What are the penalties incurred by the perpetrator of an unintentional attack on the life or integrity of an animal?

Wound or kill unintentionally a domestic animal or wild animal tamed or held in captivity shall be punished by €450 of a fine.

This means that the injury or death is caused by clumsiness, recklessness, inattention, negligence or failure to comply with a duty of safety or prudence imposed by law.

In case of conviction of the owner of the animal or if the owner is unknown, the police court may decide to hand over the animal to an animal protection association.