By Law, an Animal Is a Thing. How Animal Protection Organizations Are Trying to Change This

AZOU Vice President Maryna Surkova says that in animal protection, Ukraine is two hundred years behind the West, and describes what can be done to reduce animal suffering.

News about people convicted of killing or torturing a dog or cat attracts public attention. But these are still isolated exceptions. Most cases of animal cruelty in Ukraine go unpunished because animal protection legislation is ineffective and outdated. Under Ukrainian law, an animal is a thing, albeit with natural rights. Animal advocates strive to enshrine recognition of animal rights in the Constitution.

The Association of Animal Protection Organizations of Ukraine, established in 2009, includes 44 member organizations. AZOU lawyers provide consultations and legal assistance to both animal advocates and ordinary citizens who witness animal cruelty.

Among AZOU’s priorities are animal adaptation centers, sterilization points, increasing the number of shelters, promoting sterilization, strengthening criminal liability for animal cruelty, and combating dogkillers.

Maryna Surkova emphasizes the need for educational campaigns, creating mobile sterilization points, and implementing mutual notification practices between veterinarians and police regarding cases of violence.

Source: detector.media