DV reported a case of animal cruelty yesterday, but a group of children from Eskifirður found the carcasses of five kittens by the river in town over the weekend.
Kids Found Kitten Who Had Been Drunk – ‘Anyone Who Does This Deserves Jail Time’
Þorsteinn Bergsson, an employee of the Egilsstaðir Food Agency, said in an interview with Eastern News several tips have been received on the issue, which is being addressed.
If it is a serious offence, the case will be reported to the police. However, the Swedish Food Agency cannot act because it is not known who did this.
In a report Eastern News several legal provisions relating to animal welfare, the obligation to report individuals in the event of suspicion of animal abuse and the criminal liability of those who violate animal welfare are reviewed.
“If there is a suspicion that the treatment of animals violates this law or the regulations made under it, the responsible person must report it to the Swedish Food Agency or the police as soon as possible” , stipulates the obligation to report in the Animal Welfare Law No. 55/2013.
Section 45 of the Act states that criminal liability may result in a fine or imprisonment of up to one year if neglecting the duty to report, duty of care or prohibition provisions are violated. Fines can range from ISK 10,000. to one million ISK.
“When determining fines, the seriousness of the violation, its duration, the offender’s willingness to cooperate and whether it is a repeated violation must be taken into account, among others. Administrative fines will be applied , whether the violations are intentional or negligent.”
Matvælasstofnun assesses whether a violation is considered major, if so the agency must refer the matter to the police. “A crime is considered more serious if the act is committed in a particularly reprehensible manner or in circumstances which greatly increase culpability for the crime.”
