Six criminal proceedings have been launched against people who have mistreated pet animals, breaking Portugal’s recently-implemented animal protection law.
A source from the GNR police told Lusa news agency that 249 animal abuse cases have been reported in Portugal since the legislation came into effect on October 1 – most of which involving animal mistreatment.
So far, 56 people have been fined, while six face harsher criminal proceedings which could even result in imprisonment.
According to the law, animal abusers who “without a legitimate motive inflict pain, suffering or any other kind of physical mistreatment to a pet animal”, face a one-year prison sentence or a 120-day fine.
If mistreatment intends to “cause the animal’s death or serious and/or permanent injury to the animal, compromising its ability to move” then prison time may go up to two years or the accused may face a 240-day fine.
Abandoning pet animals is also punishable by a six-month jail sentence or a 60-day fine.
Animal associations, who have welcomed the new legislation, are nonetheless left with a sour taste in their mouth as the law sees exemption for bullfighting, the circus and agricultural and fishing industries.
