What Are The Penalties For Abandonment Of Animals?
The sanctions for abandonment of animals are regulated by each autonomous community and by community regulations. Leaving an animal adrift has its legal consequences that are classified as criminal and administrative.
It is true that, in criminal matters, perhaps the penalties are too low. As for the administrative sanctions, they depend on the place of residence and the fines can reach very high amounts. Next, we will see the types of sanctions for abandonment, the procedure and the alternatives to act within the law.
Criminal Law: penalties for abandonment of animals
Spain belongs to the European Union, so it is subject to and bound by its community rules. Spanish criminal law typifies the crimes of animal abuse and abandonment of animals with prison sentences and disqualification.
In the case of proven abuse, up to one year in prison can be imposed. In addition, there is also a disqualification of up to three years for those who have a trade or profession in relation to animals.
On the other hand, it is considered abandonment of animals when the person in charge abandons it in a situation that could endanger their life or integrity. The fine for these people ranges from one to six months. Likewise, the judge is empowered to impose disqualification from three months to one year on those who work in relation to or keeping animals.
Administrative sanctions for abandonment of animals
The number of regulations is as varied as the autonomous communities that exist in Spain. In some cases it is a problem because there are great differences between them. Despite this, it is important that there are laws that sanction those people who do not comply with the responsibility assumed in the care of their companion animals.
Administrative penalties are basically economic, with fines that vary from a few euros to thousands of them. This varies by area and whether the crime is considered serious or very serious. A classification that is added in the regulations of some communities.
For example, Asturias considers a serious crime when it comes to the loss of the animal without giving notice in the next 48 hours. The intentional abandonment of animals is very serious, a differentiation that translates into the corresponding fines.
Fines for abandonment of companion animals
As we can see, the sanctions differ between the autonomous communities. Let’s see some examples:
- Murcia, penalties of up to 3000 euros.
- Extremadura, from 301 euros to 1500 euros.
- Catalonia, up to 20,000 euros depending on the severity.
- Asturias, between 3,005 and 90,151 euros.
- Basque Country, from 1502 to 15025 euros.
- The Balearic Islands makes a distinction between non-repeated abandonment, with a penalty of 300 to 1050 euros, and repeated with a fine of 1502 to 15,000 euros.
Those mentioned are just some examples of the variations that exist for those who commit these crimes against animals. There is also another community like Ceuta, which establishes that abandoned animals will be taken to a care center, without a fine in between.
What is the procedure for abandonment penalties?
Abandoned animals should have a chip, which is mandatory in Spain. Through the information found on said chip , an attempt is made to contact the owners.
Once the owners are found, they are given a period to go in search of the animal. At best, it will be a case of misplacement and the two of you will be very happy to meet.
If, indeed, it is one of the abandonments of animals that occur in the country, then the end could be very different. Once the period has elapsed without anyone coming to the place to search for it, the administrative file is started. There the corresponding sanction will be determined as the judge considers it.
Alternatives to abandonment
Faced with the impossibility of caring for animals, it is necessary to make responsible decisions for the welfare of all. The most recommended go through looking for another adoptive family and requesting help from the veterinarian or adoption centers, to find a new home. Ultimately there are the existing shelters for homeless animals.
Every year there are thousands of abandoned animals in Spain and those that manage to survive are waiting for someone responsible to adopt them. We can all help in this cause and ensure that the abandonment of animals decreases little by little.
