Ukraine's Animal Protection Law Takes Effect: What It Provides and How It Tightens Liability

The document strengthens administrative and criminal liability.

In Ukraine, a law No. 2351 has come into force that strengthens criminal and administrative liability for cruelty to animals. Here is what the document specifically provides. 

What is prohibited

The document amends certain legislative acts on the implementation of international agreements and EU directives in the field of protection of animal and plant life. Responsibility for adopting relevant measures regarding mobile menageries and exhibitions of wild animals is assigned to local authorities. 

The law increases fines for walking dogs without leashes and muzzles and sets the minimum length of a tethered animal's leash at no less than 20 m (for guard dogs, no less than 10 m). This rule applies only to dog breeds classified as dangerous. 

Failure by an owner to clean up their animal's feces while in a public place will be classified as an administrative offense. 

The document also prohibits:

• training animals using cruel methods
• leaving an animal without access to shelter in a room or closed car cabin when no person is present, as well as when the air temperature is above +20 degrees Celsius or below +5 degrees Celsius
• leaving a pet tied up unattended in public places, near bus stops or shops

The law bans the operation of mobile menageries, zoos and exhibitions. Local councils must monitor compliance with this rule. It is no longer permitted to offer photo services with wild animals, beg with animals, or give away pets as prizes, awards or bonuses. 

The document prohibits cruelty to animals, including:

• killing
• walling up in basement rooms
• killing temporarily isolated stray pets
• regulating animal populations by biologically justified methods and euthanasia

Animals may not be drowned, strangled, poisoned or electrocuted. The law allows only biosterilization and placement in a shelter. 

How liability is tightened

Violating dog-walking rules carries a fine of UAH 170 to 340 (UAH 340 to 850 for officials). A repeat violation of this kind within a year increases the fine to UAH 340-510 (UAH 510-1,020 for an official). 

If an animal causes harm to a person's health or property, the owner faces a fine of UAH 1,700 to 3,400 with confiscation of the animal (UAH 3,400-5,100). 

A person aged 14 can be held administratively liable for cruelty to animals, and from age 16 criminally liable. The injured animal is confiscated, and its owner is deprived of the right to keep animals for five years. 

Promoting cruelty to animals may be punished by restriction of liberty for one to three years or imprisonment for two to three years with confiscation of the animal.