Sentencing of animal abusers in Poland: between justice and green criminology

• In Event: Green Criminology and Justice: Perspectives on Protection, Punishment, and Rehabilitation

Abstract

The paper focuses on the sentencing of perpetrators of animal cruelty in Poland. The presented findings are based on research conducted using the method of secondary data analysis. The study encompassed convictions handed down by district courts in Poland between 2014 and 2024. A random sampling method was employed to select judgments for examination. The research also utilized judicial statistics provided by the Polish Ministry of Justice; however, the primary source of analysis was court rulings, as their examination yielded numerous valuable insights into the functioning of the justice system, the application of law, and animal protection. The paper will present the following aspects: the characteristics of perpetrators of animal cruelty, information on the types of offenses committed, details regarding imposed penalties, judicial decisions and court practices, trends and temporal changes, practical issues, and proposals for amendments. The topics discussed in the paper will contribute to a deeper understanding of key issues related to crimes committed against animals, societal responses to such offenses, and the operation of the justice system.

Author

• Diana Dajnowicz-Piesiecka, University of Bialystok