The new regulation of criminal offenses (not only) regarding animal abuse (lo 3/2023, of march 28)

Abstract

LO 3/2023, of March 28, on animal abuse, has introduced substantial changes in the protection that Criminal Law grants to animals. The crimes of abuse and abandonment are reformed and are relocated to a new title XVI bis, entitled: “Crimes against animals.” With these changes, the legislator wants to adapt these crimes not only to the reality of the problems that currently arise in this area, but also to the new legal status of animals as living beings endowed with sensitivity. In this work, the new tenor of both penal figures is analyzed and whether it really meets the indicated expectations.