Anyone who refuses to pay the bills for his or her confiscated animals can now have a bailiff come over for this. These are people who have abused or neglected their own animals. “We will not let animal abuse be blue-blue. If you ignore every reminder, you can expect a bailiff,” said Flemish animal welfare minister Ben Weyts (N-VA) on Tuesday.
The Animal Welfare Inspectorate protects and shelters animals that are mistreated or neglected, usually in a shelter. However, the owners of the animals still have to pay for the costs of care, food and shelter. Until now, however, payment of those costs could not be enforced. There was a lack of the right legal basis, there was no uniform cost calculation at the shelters and there was also insufficient staff at the Animal Welfare Inspectorate.
Flemish Animal Minister Ben Weyts is changing that. The first 16 files have been opened. These are people who have ignored a collection and various reminders. Their debts vary between 214 and 6,125 euros. That bill will increase, because they now also have to pay for the extra costs associated with the use of bailiffs.
“For me, this is a matter of principle,” says Weyts. “Anyone who mistreats or neglects their own animals, must also bear all the consequences. And this is not only about a hefty fine, but also about all the costs that we have to incur to take care of those animals again and give them a good home. for example in an asylum.”
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