Russia's Government Supports Bill on Animal Seizure

The Russian government has approved a draft law that would allow for the seizure of pets in instances where evidence of cruel treatment by their owners is discovered. The implementation of this bill proposes amendments to the Russian Criminal Code and the Administrative Offenses Code, as current legislation designates cats and dogs as private property of citizens.

The bill also aims to establish a unified system for responding to complaints regarding animal attacks, based on the emergency services hotline 112. Authors of the initiative believe this will enable a rapid response to dangerous situations and reduce risks to the public.

Experts interviewed by "Kommersant" express doubts about the practical feasibility of the initiative. In particular, they are concerned about where seized animals will be held and the sources of funding for their care and maintenance. According to these experts, these questions still lack clear answers.