Russia may expand penalties for cruelty to animals.
The first deputy head of the Duma Committee on Ecology, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, Vladimir Burmatov, an MP, has prepared a bill under which pets will be confiscated from abusive owners.
In an interview with Izvestia, the deputy noted that if a pet is beaten or starved, or kept improperly, the owner could be fined. The amount of the fine can be quite high. However, this does not guarantee that the owner's attitude to the animal will change, Burmatov added. According to Russian law, a pet stays with a negligent owner because it is considered his property.
The initiative has already been supported by members of other factions and experts. According to the latter, pet owners should be forbidden to get pets for a long period of time.
Currently in the Russian Federation for cruel treatment of animals faces a fine of 80 thousand rubles or up to three years in prison.
The State Duma earlier adopted a law on fines for non-compliance with the requirements for keeping animals.