Criminological and criminal law aspects of domestic animal welfare abuse in Poland

• In Event: Green Criminology #4 - Animal rights and animal welfare

Abstract

Statistical data indicate that the number of animals kept at home is increasing, including species that were not previously considered pets. This fact is also associated with negative phenomena, such as abuse of animals, as well as unknowingly, due to lack of knowledge of the needs of certain species, causing suffering, the development of illegal breeding, in which the welfare of animals is violated, or illegal transport threatening epidemiological safety. Abuse of animals can also cause danger to humans, this is the danger of various diseases or viruses, financial losses, or an increase in crime, especially organized crime.
With the growing awareness of animal rights, this phenomenon calls for significant changes in the law, including criminal law. The Author analyzes criminal law regulations for the protection of domestic animals at the national level, especially the Law on the Animal Protection, indicate to what extent the existing regulations provide protection of domestic animals. In relation to this, the criminological aspects of animal welfare violations in Poland will also be discussed.

Author

• Natalia Daśko, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Tor