A petition on the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers’ website calling for criminal liability for physical violence against animals has gathered the number of votes required for consideration. According to the government website platform, the petition was submitted on January 5, and as of January 10, it had gathered the 25,000 votes required for consideration.
“We, the citizens of Ukraine, appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine with a demand to initiate amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine with the aim of introducing real, clear, and effective criminal liability for physical violence against animals,” the petition says.
The author of the petition states that the current legislation of Ukraine in the field of animal protection does not establish strict criminal liability for physical violence leading to suffering, injury, or death of an animal, and the existing sanctions do not have a sufficient deterrent effect.
“In European Union countries, particularly in Greece (Animal Welfare Act No. 4830/2021), physical violence against animals is classified as a serious criminal offense, and the most severe forms of cruelty are punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. This approach has proven effective in reducing cases of animal abuse and is in line with European animal protection standards,” the author added.
In this regard, the government is required to amend the Criminal Code to establish: criminal liability for physical violence against animals resulting in physical pain, suffering, injury, or death of the animal; punishment — imprisonment for 5 to 10 years for such crimes for a first offense; establish a gradation of punishment: for the first act of cruel physical violence — imprisonment for 5 to 7 years; for a repeat offense or one committed with particular cruelty — imprisonment for 7 to 10 years; for systematic violations or in cases of serious consequences — a maximum term of 10 years; provide for additional restrictions that apply to such crimes: a ban on keeping animals for a period of at least 10 years after serving the sentence; creation of a register of persons convicted of cruelty to animals, with restrictions on the right to purchase, own, or care for animals.
As reported, on July 15, 2021, the Verkhovna Rada legislatively strengthened the fight against animal cruelty. In particular, the adopted law provides for the mandatory use of a leash for walking dogs and other domestic animals that may pose a danger to human life or health, as well as muzzles for dangerous breeds of dogs (in particular, Dobermans, Great Danes, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, American Bulldogs, and Bull Terriers). The law prohibits people who have been subject to administrative penalties or measures for committing offenses related to cruelty to animals from keeping animals for one year, as well as for ten years from the date of entry into force of a conviction against persons who have been held criminally liable for cruelty to animals or who have been released from criminal liability and the proceedings have been terminated due to non-rehabilitating circumstances. Cruel treatment of animals – cruelty to animals, including stray animals, is punishable by a fine of 200 to 300 non-taxable minimum incomes (3400-5100 UAH) with confiscation of the animal if the animal’s stay with the owner poses a threat to its life or health. Keeping dogs and cats in places where it is prohibited by the relevant rules, walking dogs without leashes and muzzles, as well as failure by the owner of the animal to clean up its excrement while the animal is in a public place is punishable by a warning or a fine of 10 to 20 non-taxable minimum incomes (170-340 UAH) and a warning or fine for officials of 20 to 50 non-taxable minimum incomes (340-850 UAH).
ANIMALS, CABINET OF MINISTERS, criminal liability, PETITION, violence
The military proposes to introduce progressive annual remuneration for each full year of service and to establish the “Cross of the Long Guard” award. A corresponding petition on behalf of his comrades was registered by volunteer Senior Lieutenant Andriy Dmytrenko.
The petition proposes establishing an annual monetary reward for each full year of service during the war, which would double annually. Thus, for the first year of service, the reward could be 50,000 hryvnia, for the second – 100,000 hryvnia, for the third – 200,000 hryvnia, and for the fourth – 200,000 hryvnia.
The authors of the petition propose to establish payment for the actual period of service in wartime conditions, with those who have been demobilized also receiving payment for the years they have served.
At the same time, periods of unauthorized absence from the unit and other exceptions reset the term, and the calculation of remuneration begins from the moment of return to service.
In addition, the authors of the petition are initiating the introduction of a state combat award, the “Cross of Dovgoi Varti,” which is awarded after the first full year of service in wartime conditions and is supplemented with new elements for each subsequent year of service, becoming a visible symbol of long-term service, endurance, honor, and loyalty.
“This is not just another ribbon to wear on your uniform. It is a testament to a path that is invisible to the civilian eye. It is a new military tradition that the country must establish now,” the petition’s authors note.
The petition has now gathered more than 20,000 signatures.
The petition is available at https://petition.kmu.gov.ua/petitions/8625.
A petition demanding to veto the draft law No.5655 on reforming the sphere of urban planning, posted on the website of the President of Ukraine, has collected more than 25 thousand votes on the day of its adoption by the Parliament.
Now the petition should be considered by the head of state.
“New town-planning regulations under the guise of liberalizing the urban planning sphere and accelerating the construction actually untie the hands of large developers, who now do not have to go through checks from local authorities. Checks of construction and documentation of the project can be carried out by private firms, and the role of chief architects of the cities in this process is greatly restricted. If the law is adopted by the majority of deputies of the Verkhovna Rada at the next session, the process of chaotic development of our cities and the desecration of historical monuments will be accelerated,” – says the text of the petition.
As it was reported, on December 13, the Verkhovna Rada passed the bill as a whole #5655. It was voted for by 228 deputies.
Earlier, on December 1, 2022, the bill was withdrawn from consideration by Parliament. The Association of Ukrainian Cities, mayors, the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC), the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, and the National Union of Architects of Ukraine insisted on its revision.
Private joint-stock company Volodymyr-Volynsky Poultry Farm (Volyn region), part of Openmind Group, calls to sign a petition to ban from using antibiotics in agriculture and refuse applying them posted on the website of the president of Ukraine.
“The worldwide recognized problem of antibiotic resistance is the focus of the WHO [World Health Organization] and leading countries. Experience shows the impossibility of production without the use of antibiotics. It does not require significant investments, but needs serious changes in business processes, standards, as well as internal discipline of companies for events that need to be implemented,” CEO of Openmind Group of Companies Oleksiy Kovalenko said at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine.
He focused on the fact that the refusal to use antibiotics in agriculture, including the production of chicken meat, is impossible without appropriate government support and amendments to the legislation.
“We urge everyone to support this petition so that it has 25,000 votes and becomes mandatory for consideration,” he said.
According to Kovalenko, in Ukraine, the market for antibiotic-free chicken meat is still estimated at only 2%.
PrJSC Volodymyr-Volynsky Poultry Farm is a Ukrainian-Dutch enterprise, part of the Openmind group of companies. The factory’s infrastructure includes 100 poultry farms, a processing workshop and a feed mill, as well as land for planting fodder crops.
The company is certified under ISO 2200:05 and is implementing HACCP principles in production of raw materials and finished products.
At the end of 2017, the poultry farm launched a unique product on the Ukrainian market – chicken meat without antibiotics and growth stimulants under the Epicurus brand, and in 2019 began the construction of a new meat processing workshop worth EUR 38 million.
On Wednesday, September 4, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference “Discussion of Petition on the Ban on Antibiotics in Agriculture Initiated by EPIKUR Brand.” Participants include EPIKUR Managing Shareholder Oleksiy Kovalenko, Director General of PJSC Volodymyr-Volynska Poultry Farm Alina Sych, EPIKUR Chief Feed Technologist Olha Romaniuk, EPIKUR Production Technologist Maria Voroshyk (8/5a Reitarska Street). Press accreditation by phone: (093) 973 8616.
