Legislation regarding animal protection in Ukraine is becoming increasingly strict. Judicial practice shows that perpetrators of abuse against pets may face both administrative and criminal liability, including actual imprisonment. Experts note that courts are increasingly issuing guilty verdicts in such cases.

Punishment scale: from fines to prison

Lawyer Yevhen Bulymenko, in a comment to RBC-Ukraine, explained the gradation of liability depending on the severity of the consequences. If a person's actions caused suffering or physical pain to an animal but did not result in injury or death, administrative liability applies under Article 89 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses (CUoAP).

An important addition to the administrative sanction is the possibility of confiscating the animal. The court may seize the pet from the owner if they pose a threat to its health or life.

The situation changes radically if the animal suffers bodily harm, is maimed, or dies. In this case, the actions are qualified under Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Example from judicial practice

One of the indicative examples of the tightening of practice was Case No. 371/1068/23, considered by the Myronivka District Court of the Kyiv region in March 2026. The incident occurred due to a man in a state of alcohol intoxication who shot a dog with a hunting rifle.

The animal suffered severe gunshot wounds and fractures. The court found the man guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced him to four years of imprisonment. However, the serving of the sentence was replaced with a two-year probation period.

Current cases and public reaction

The issue of animal protection remains extremely acute in society. Against the backdrop of stricter laws, loud scandals periodically erupt, attracting public attention:

  • Scandal involving "MasterChef" show judge Olga Martynovska, who in an interview shared memories of abusing animals in her childhood.

  • Incident in the Ivano-Frankivsk region during the "Horses of Boykivshchyna" festival. Law enforcement agencies are investigating facts of animal cruelty, where horses were forced to pull heavy logs and were beaten.

Experts urge citizens not to stand aside when identifying cases of animal cruelty and to immediately contact law enforcement agencies.

Important: This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. RBC-Ukraine is not responsible for actions taken based on this information. If legal assistance is required, we recommend consulting a qualified lawyer.