In the first half of 2026, 115 complaints regarding violations of pet welfare requirements were confirmed in Latvia. Nearly a thousand inspections were conducted over six months, and 82 animals were seized as part of administrative and criminal proceedings.
The Food and Veterinary Service (FVS) reported that in the first half of the year, it received 703 reports of possible violations of pet welfare requirements.
To verify the information received, specialists conducted 986 inspections. As a result, 115 cases were confirmed where the requirements for animal care were indeed violated.
According to the head of the veterinary facilities oversight department at the FVS, Mairita Riekstina, 47 administrative processes were initiated or accepted by the State and Municipal Police regarding the identified violations. Another 37 processes are related to cases of animal cruelty.
During these proceedings, 82 pets were seized from their owners. Among them are 49 dogs and 33 cats.
This means that approximately one in six complaints received was confirmed. The remaining reports either could not be substantiated or did not reveal any violations after inspection.
At the same time, the procedure for handling such complaints has changed. Starting from July 1, 2026, complaints about possible violations of pet welfare requirements will be handled by the municipal police.
The Food and Veterinary Service will now only be involved in cases where there are reasonable suspicions of animal cruelty.
Thus, since July, the responsibility for responding to most reports of improper pet care has shifted to the municipal level, while the FVS will focus on the most serious cases.
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