Reports of animal cruelty in Lithuania prompt calls for stricter penalties, while international examples show varied enforcement.
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A Lithuanian media project is investigating the level of accountability for animal cruelty in other European countries. Reports detail various acts of cruelty in Lithuania, including severe injuries to dogs and attempts to mutilate a kitten. Animal welfare organizations note that many reports concern inadequate living conditions, with about 80% of complaints relating to dogs kept in poor conditions. State authorities confirm that while the scale of cruelty remains similar, the profile is shifting towards cases involving animal hoarding. Legally, in Lithuania, administrative penalties range from 150 to 3300 euros, while criminal offenses involving injury or death can lead to imprisonment. A petition signed by nearly 65,000 residents demands stricter penalties, including up to two years in prison and a permanent ban on owning animals. Experts argue that while laws exist, their inconsistent application by authorities is the main issue. Internationally, Austria allows for fines up to 7,500 euros or imprisonment, and Ireland has laws allowing for fines up to 250,000 euros and up to five years in prison, though advocacy groups suggest enforcement needs improvement.
