Ostend has its own specialized animal welfare inspector and is now a reference for other forces. According to Minister Weyts, the approach to animal abuse has improved greatly in recent years thanks to closer cooperation between the police, the public prosecutor’s office and inspection services.
The West Flanders public prosecutor’s office also emphasizes that it is actively pursuing the prosecution of abuse, neglect and administrative violations. Chief of Police Hannelore Hochepied speaks of “a successful consultation”.