You have a duty to help an animal that is clearly sick or injured. This applies, for example, to animals that are unable to walk or stand up, have large wounds, breathing problems, are emaciated, have foul-smelling discharge or bloody diarrhea, have bone fractures or other injuries that are clearly painful and hinder the animal’s movement.
An animal is clearly helpless when it cannot escape a dangerous or very stressful situation. This could, for example, be animals stuck in fences, dogs locked in hot cars, or birds that have become trapped.
How can you help?
Here you will find some information on how you can help various animals in need.
Wild animals
The most important thing is to help the animal so that it does not suffer. What needs to be done depends on the situation and your available options. In cases where the animal cannot be helped on site, a veterinarian or wildlife management should be contacted for an assessment of what would be best for the animal. Rehabilitation of wild animals should only occur if the animal can fully recover and be returned to nature within a short period. Rehabilitation must be carried out in consultation with a veterinarian and reported to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. For many wild animals, rehabilitation can be a very stressful experience. In some cases, euthanasia will unfortunately be the best help the animal can receive to avoid suffering.
Small game
If the animal needs a medical assessment and/or euthanasia, you should take it to a veterinarian. Veterinary costs for emergency aid (simple health assessment/euthanasia) are covered by the state.
Large game (moose, deer, roe deer, and wild reindeer)
Call the police at 02800. They will notify the municipal wildlife management (viltnemda) and other relevant parties.
Birds
It can be difficult to distinguish between an underdeveloped bird chick and a bird that is sick or injured. Do not take the bird with you unless you are absolutely certain that it is actually injured.
If someone is so unfortunate as to take a healthy bird chick, the chick should be returned as soon as possible. You can read more about bird chicks here.
Birds with severe injuries must be taken to a veterinarian. Veterinary costs for emergency aid (simple health assessment/euthanasia) are covered by the state.
Larger birds such as swans, geese, and similar fall under the category of large game. Call the police at 02800, and they will notify the municipal wildlife management (viltnemda).
Farm animals and horses grazing
If you come across sick or injured farm animals or horses, you should try to contact the owner. It is advisable to check the ear tag on farm animals, as the owner’s name and phone number may be on the back. There may also be a sign with the owner’s contact information at the entrance to the grazing area.
If it is not possible to reach the owner, call the police at 02800.
If you are able to take a picture of the ear tag, it is helpful to pass that information on to the owner and/or the police. It is also advisable to record your coordinates so you can provide information about the animal’s location.
You hit or find a hit animal
Everyone has a duty to report if they hit an animal, and you have a duty to help the animal. It is not punishable to hit an animal, but it is punishable not to report the incident. Remember that you have a duty to help even if the animal has run from the scene.
If you find an animal that has likely been hit by someone else, you also have a duty to help the animal.
Companion animals
Contact the animal’s owner if you know who it is. If possible, take the animal to a veterinarian. If you cannot reach the owner or get the animal to a veterinarian, you must call the police at 02800.
Farm animals
Contact the animal’s owner and/or a veterinarian. If you cannot reach the owner or get a veterinarian to come to the animal, you must call the police at 02800.
Wild animals
Call the police at 02800, and they will notify the municipality’s wildlife management (the wildlife committee). Mark the location where the animal was hit. Animal Protection Norway offers wildlife bands for marking accident sites. You can also call the police via the “Hjelp113” app. This will automatically register your location through the app. Do not attempt to follow an injured animal yourself.
Duty to assist (§ 4 of the Animal Welfare Act)
Anyone who encounters an animal that is obviously sick, injured, or helpless shall assist the animal as far as possible. If the animal is a farm animal or big game, and it is not possible to provide sufficient assistance, the owner or the police shall be notified immediately.
If it is obvious that the animal cannot live or recover, the person who encounters the animal may euthanize it immediately. Farm animals and big game shall not be euthanized pursuant to this provision if it is possible to contact the owner, veterinarian, or police within a reasonable time.
Necessary expenses for measures pursuant to this provision shall be paid by the state, but expenses related to measures towards farm animals may be claimed back from the animal keeper or the owner.
Duty to notify (§ 5 of the Animal Welfare Act)
Anyone who has reason to believe that animals are being subjected to mistreatment or serious deficiencies regarding the environment, supervision, and care shall notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority or the police as soon as possible. The duty to notify applies with the limitations that follow from other legislation.
Anyone who becomes aware that a large number of wild or feral animals are exposed to disease, injury, or other abnormal suffering shall notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority or the police as soon as possible.
