Proposal would make animal keeping bans tougher

Yle reports that a proposal submitted to Parliament would make bans on keeping animals easier to impose and extend their duration. The aim is to improve the effectiveness of the bans and combat animal welfare offences.

Violating a ban could in future lead to a prison sentence of up to one year. The relevant provision would be moved to the Criminal Code; currently, violations are punishable by a fine.

Under the proposal, a ban would generally have to be imposed following a basic animal welfare offence unless there were compelling reasons not to do so. At present, bans are imposed in about 50 to 60 per cent of such cases.

The proposal would also introduce rules allowing a ban to be amended or revoked if there were no longer reasonable grounds to believe that the person posed a risk of repeating an offence against animals or harming animal welfare.

The proposed laws are intended to enter into force in spring 2027.