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.