Reports of 'pet crimes' down on last year

The Public Security Police has logged almost 400 reports of crimes against pet animals to the end of April this year.

The Animal Defence Project saw 373 complaints registered in the first four months of the year for the "mistreatment" or the "abandonment of animals."

The figures were announced today by the force’s Metropolitan Command in Lisbon whcih said the number of complaints dropped 9.2% over the same period in 2016.

During 2016, a total of 1,623 pet crimes were registered, of which 855 were registered by the PSP, with the majority in the Lisbon district (415).

Upon receiving a complaint, the PSP carries out a review of the housing conditions in place for the pet animal.

Officers then verify the animal’s registration, its vaccination record, whether it has an electronic chip and civil liability insurance, if this is legally necessary.

With all this work completed, the PSP recorded "numerous infractions" that did not result in further action and 95 cases that were considered as criminal.

Citizens wanting to report crimes committed against pets may email defesanimal@psp.pt or contact the GNR.

Comments  

0 #2 Ed 2017-05-12 10:00

Lisbon PSP have an email addess for members of the public, in and around Lisbon, to report cases of animal abuse and abandonment. defesanimalpsp.pt
There is also a phone line, run by 21POLICIA 217 654 242
These initiative are part of the campaign: 'Mistreating animals is a crime.'
Outside Lisbon if you witness animal cruelty or abandonment then you should contact your local GNR station or the national number 808200520.
The GNR has a special department (SEPNA) which deal with this issue as well as its environmental work.

0 #1 Ann Thomas 2017-05-12 09:49

Bit confusing this Ed ! A very important issue that lies at the very heart of how effectively Portugal is policed. Here you discuss a PSP (town) Police summary but finish with a 'contact the GNR'. Mistreatment of town pets is more easily reported on by neighbours. Perhaps several so not seen as an individual troublemaker harassing another animal owner. GNR are the rural Police - when or where do they report on pet mistreatment ? Also - given the distances between properties, so much harder for 'individual' neighbours to report on without risking a feud doing so. A consequence of the post 1974 anti-Denouncing drive that resulted in a pro-Defamation suing culture.

So - are the various 'Police' forces sufficiently connected to stop miscreants falling between them? Reminding readers, for example, that the fire season starts soon and the GNR must report their suspects to the nearest Public Prosecutor. Not to the specialist PJ fire investigators - who have their own separate routines. Delays communicating between these strict demarcations risking corrupted or missing evidence.

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