How can we help an animal, victim of violence: questions and answers

« Invisible Animals » is a civic team aimed at creating a more humane and just world for all animals. Among the causes of the team are the ban on the extraction of valuable skins and the transition to experiments without animals. At the moment, the small calves are in focus and their need to be grown group, beyond the cells in which they are physically and mentally tortured.

Dnevnik talks with Lora Mladenova, a representative of the team, and prepared a guide to questions and answers about the actions that an animal witness should take.

What is the first thing a person should do if he witnesses violence against an animal?

– The first mandatory step is to call 112. This applies whether he or she has found a killed animal, an animal that seems to be poisoned or died. Other cases are if he has witnessed or suggests any form of violence against an animal. It is a crime of the Penal Code (Article 325a, 325b and 325c). It would be good for the witness to have a photo or video materialto apply to his signal later. According to an order from the Minister of Interior, such cases should be investigated by the police. It is her duty to react and come to the spot.

If we see that the animal is severely injured and the situation is more crisis, who can we turn to?

– The witness can take the animal to a veterinarian, but only if he can carry it safely. No need to waste time if the situation is crisis. Otherwise, it is desirable to seek assistance on the spot. In the event that it is a stray animal and someone has given funds for its treatment, it can then bring a lawsuit to the respective municipality for reimbursement.

Municipalities are responsible for limiting the population of stray animals through conservation programs (providing conditions in shelters) and through effective castration. Therefore, they must take responsibility if the animal was on the street and was injured and owed the cost of its treatment. If a person pays it from their personal resources, the chance of recovering it is greater than when raising money through donation campaigns.

What if the animal is already dead?

– If he is dead, his corpse must be seized for autopsy to determine the causes of death. For this purpose, the police should come with a veterinarian, who is most often a representative of the Regional Food Safety Directorate. With this first action, an investigation may have been considered. The criminal proceedings are then instituted and a prosecutor should be notified within 24 hours.

How to react if we witness animal abuse online?

– In that case, people again have the right to signal. They can call on tel. 112, if it is about A situation that develops live and know where this is happeningS A signal can also be submitted in writing if the place of the action is unknown. We are considering making forms for this because it would make it easier for people. If the act is rearly, all available materials such as video, photos and comments that call for violence or make someone in violence should be applied. It is good to take it down or shoot a screenshototherwise it can quickly disappear from social networks.

Which other institution can we alert for cases of violence?

– People can also signal animal abuse in the regional directorates of the Food Safety Agency. It is responsible for forms of a manifestation of cruelty that do not fall within the scope of the Criminal Code. They are not crimes, but offenses described in Art. 7 of the Animal Protection Act. For example, they are when dog owners cut their ears and tails or keep them on a shingle in yards. Leaving an animal locked somewhere without food and water and learning dogs for fighting are also such disorders. However, the organization, conducting and betting of fighting is a crime under Art. 325a of the Criminal Code.

What if the police do not respond to our signal?

– People are often told that the case is not emergency, which is not the case. They must insist in such situations, as they can do so in the following ways: « 

They can even say to the operator on 112, with whom they talk that they will complain to him to the Ministry of Interior about his inaction on the signal.

In the event that police officers come, they must be legitimized, which is their duty in general. Thus, people can also hold them responsible for their actions and in the abandonment of reaction or taking the animal. I say again – if it is dead, people can signal again against the police themselves who came to the spot. In this case, it is sent to the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior, as well as to the District Prosecutor’s Office.

How are signals and complaints against institutions in case they do not respond?

– It is advisable to address them to a specific person. If this is the director of the respective district management, for example, it is a good idea to check how it is said to address the signal specifically to it. Also, all complaints and alerts should require an incoming number in order to be able to carry out checks for their development over time.

Each of the institutions in our country has some form of hierarchical structure. One should not give up if he does not initially pay attention to his signal. You just have to check which is the above unit of the respective institution and signal inaction to it if the case is. He must apply everything he has included in its original form.

What happens after we have reported and have come from law enforcement agencies?

– Our responsibility in such a case would end until the police intervention. When a crime is committed, an investigating officer or investigator should be borrowed to investigate this crime. It reaches the prosecutor’s office and criminal proceedings are instituted for a general crime. She must work on him on her own initiative, not, for example, a citizen to judge another for his act. However, in the absence of the competent authorities, mass signals can be written by more citizens.

What mistakes do people make when signaling?

– Very often the signals are not submitted on time. The more time passes, the more difficult it is to investigate and prove violence. What is happening now is that people react to something they have seen, for example, two months ago. If they are confused at the moment they witness, they can contact an animal protection organization to get advice. Most organizations, however, have some experience on how to respond to such situations and we can advise or provide a signal for a signal.

Should something change in politics to reduce animal abuse cases?

– In addition to criminal policy, policy should be developed to better prevention of violence. There must also be a working zoo to know that these are her responsibilities and competencies. At any moment when someone called her, he can’t tell him « this is not our job » or « the case is not urgent ». This will be their obligation and the case will be urgent.