In the program Saimnieks.Zeme.Valsts on TV24, the CEO of the Food and Veterinary Service (PVS), Maris Balodis, explained in which cases a dog owner may or may not bear administrative or criminal liability if, for example, their dog bites a person, writes LA.LV.
Balodis emphasized that each case is assessed individually, taking into account all circumstances and evidence. First of all, it is determined whether the dog acted in self-defense or if the incident was the result of unprovoked aggression by the animal.
“If the dog was protecting property or was provoked, administrative liability does not arise,” Balodis explained.
He provided a specific example: if a dog bites a person who illegally entered private property. “For instance, if a thief is bitten in an apartment, the owner bears no responsibility, as the dog is performing its primary function — protecting property,” stated the head of the Food and Veterinary Service.
Earlier, there was a reported case in the Bauska region where three dogs were shot. A criminal investigation has been initiated regarding the suspicion of cruelty to animals that led to their death. The owner of the animals, entrepreneur Modris Konovalov, confirmed on social media that the dogs belonged to him.
The municipal police explained that on October 10, they received a call about three aggressive stray dogs threatening a woman on private property in the Brūnaava municipality. The duty officer contacted the “Animal Rescue Service” — professional catchers. However, a representative of the hunting collective arrived on the scene earlier and shot the dogs.
The police have initiated a criminal investigation under part 2 of Article 230 of the Criminal Law — for cruelty to animals that led to their death. Such a crime is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, short-term imprisonment, or probation supervision with a prohibition on keeping animals for up to five years.
The police continue to investigate all the circumstances of the incident and promised to report on the progress of the investigation as soon as possible.
The municipal police have also initiated two administrative proceedings — regarding the attack of the dogs on a roe deer and regarding the stray walking of animals.
The “Animal Rescue Service” reported that the call about three aggressive dogs on private property was received on Friday after 1:00 PM. “Unfortunately, we were able to identify the owner of the dogs almost simultaneously with the police when the chips were scanned on the already dead animals,” the organization stated.
The “Animal Rescue Service” urges owners to ensure supervision of their pets and to prevent their uncontrolled walking. An internal investigation has been initiated regarding three municipal police officers, but they continue to perform their duties.
