Cruelty to domestic and wild animals

15.12.2021

Question for written answer  E-005586/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Aurélia Beigneux (ID), Annika Bruna (ID)

Countless domestic and wild animals suffer and die at the hands of humans every day. For many, physical and psychological abuse, neglect and maltreatment are a daily reality.

In France, the Penal Code makes it an offence to seriously abuse or commit an act of cruelty to a domestic animal. Some European countries – the UK, Germany and Belgium in particular – have been much quicker at addressing this issue than other Member States.

In the UK, for example, animal abusers can be sentenced to up to five years in prison. In Wallonia, an animal welfare code adopted in 2018 means that abusers can be sentenced to 10-15 years in prison and fined up to EUR 10 million.

With European citizens calling for the plight of domestic and wild animals to be relieved, and EU policies enabling the Commission to better enforce legislation and fund important research on animal welfare, how will the Commission ensure that a common approach is taken against cruelty to domestic and wild animals?