The number of animal cruelty cases has increased almost 4 times

A record 386 criminal cases under Article 299 of the Criminal Code (animal cruelty) were opened in Ukraine in the first five months of 2025. The previous record was 220 cases in the whole of 2020. Compared to last year, the number of animal cruelty cases has nearly quadrupled — from 105 in 2024 to 386 this year.

«The rise in criminal cases on animal cruelty doesn’t mean more violence — it means less silence. Thanks to educational efforts, accessible legal tools, and support from NGOs, more people are reporting violations and acting according to the law»,

— says Anastasiia Hevchuk, legal analyst at UAnimals, an organization focused on protecting animals and the environment.

There was a sharp spike in cases this spring: more animal cruelty cases were opened in April alone than during the entire previous year. At the beginning of 2025, authorities were opening about 21 cases per month — similar to previous years. But in April, 213 new cases were launched — ten times more than usual. In May, the number dropped to 110, but that’s still five times higher than average.

At the same time, investigations have become more effective. In the past, suspects were officially charged in only 20% of cases — about one in five. This year, 80% of cases have already resulted in charges. However, because of the sudden surge in cases, fewer are making it to court. Previously, 13–15% of such cases reached court, but in 2025 that number has dropped to just 4%.

«This surge in new cases this year is partly the result of hard work done in 2024. UAnimals launched chatbots where people can report animal abuse, published templates for complaints people can submit, and held training sessions for investigators and prosecutors. In February 2025, a special training was also held for law enforcement officers, which helped raise their awareness and made them more effective in recording such cases»,

— says Anastasiia Hevchuk

According to data from the Babusia court register search tool, Ukrainian courts have already issued 20 sentences for animal cruelty in 2025. Offenders are now receiving real prison terms for such crimes. For example, in the Lviv region, a man was sentenced to 5 years in prison for beating a dog to death with a bat. However, the register also contains cases where offenders received fines or suspended sentences.