CRIMES OF ANIMAL ABANDONMENT AND MISTREATMENT: CHALLENGES IN IDENTIFYING AND PUNISHING PERPETRATORS

Abstract

The study analyzed the challenges involved in identifying and punishing perpetrators of animal crimes and abuse, as evidenced in the scientific literature through a systematic literature review that included searches of the Medline database via PubMed and SciELO, as well as case law, to assess the effectiveness of legal and institutional mechanisms for identifying and holding perpetrators criminally liable for crimes of animal abandonment and abuse. Legislative and jurisprudential advances were observed, with the recognition of animals as sentient beings and subjects of law in different parts of the world, along with the strengthening of criminal laws and the enactment of animal protection orders. Therefore, the physical health and well-being of animals are of paramount importance to public health, not only in Brazil but in many countries around the world. Likewise, to maintain biodiversity, it is necessary for actions related to accountability and animal rights to be enshrined in the Brazilian legal system to ensure the sustainability and preservation of animal life.