Another condemnation for animal cruelty has fallen on appeal as the issue of ‘unconstitutional protection legislation’ remains unfixed. This time, it was a 57-year-old man from Ovar who appealed against a €500 fine for having put six newborn kittens into a bag and dumped them in a rubbish bin. Happily, in this instance, the kittens were rescued alive, and taken to an animal shelter. But the fact that judges refuse to accept animal protection legislation has completely undermined the purpose behind it – hence the recent demonstration in Lisbon. In this instance of undeniable cruelty, the man appealed – knowing the law has now been deemed unconstitutional – and saw judges annul the case, and with it the fine.
