If you suspect animal abuse or are aware of serious deficiencies in animal husbandry, you are obligated to report this.
Reporting obligation
Unfortunately, animal cruelty is a widespread problem – even here in Norway. Animal Protection Norway receives many reports each year about animals in distress.
There are different forms of animal abuse. Neglect can involve not providing the animal with sufficient water and food, or care, which ultimately leads to illness and suffering for the animal.
Violence against animals, either for entertainment purposes or to cause harm, is a severe form of animal abuse. In Norway, cats are particularly vulnerable to neglect and violence. Cats have low status in society, compared to dogs for example, and are more often subjected to abuse.
In Norway, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority is responsible for ensuring that animals are well cared for, and together with the police, they have the authority to intervene where animals are subjected to neglect and abuse.
The Animal Welfare Act is intended to secure animal rights in Norway. Violations of the Animal Welfare Act can be punished with fines or imprisonment. This is unfortunately enforced far too rarely, due to limited resources at the police and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, as well as the absence of evidence in cases.
Animal Protection Norway works to increase political awareness about the importance of taking animal crime cases seriously. We are fighting for greater funding for animal crime units so they can investigate more violations of the Animal Welfare Act.
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