Can you keep geese in a student house and when can the police intervene? What rights do sheep have in the pasture or cows in a stable? And what happens to dogs, cats and iguanas that the judicial authorities confiscate?
On November 16, the Public Academy for the Judiciary will discuss the rights of animals and the duties of their owners.
During this evening we look at animals through the legal lens. Earlier this year, the House of Representatives approved a bill to punish animal abuse and neglect more severely. The maximum penalty for killing cats, organizing cockfights or allowing a dog to die, for example, will be increased to five years in prison.
Prosecutor Sus Broekstra worked for a while at the Functional Public Prosecution Service, which, among other things, brings cases to court regarding large-scale animal abuse. With appealing examples she takes you through issues from her practice. What does she think of the stiffening of penalties for animal abuse?
Criminal judge Fred Janssens As an (economic) police judge, he handled many cases involving animals. What did he see? How did he judge and why? What are the backgrounds of people who ended up in court for mistreating animals?
The evening will be led by Leonie Sinnema , reporter at Dagblad van het Noorden. After the lectures there will be time to ask questions. We do request that you keep the questions general. During the Public Academy there is no room to discuss personal issues.
What, where and when
The lectures are suitable for a wide audience. Knowledge of the law is not necessary to follow the lectures. Participation is free. The evening about animals is on November 16 at 7:00 PM in the Offerhaus Hall of the Academy Building of the University of Groningen, at Broerstraat 5 in Groningen. You can register via www.dvhn.nl/audienceacademie or via the digital form below.
The Public Academy for the Judiciary is a collaboration between the Northern Netherlands District Court, the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen, the Northern Netherlands Public Prosecution Service and the Dagblad van het Noorden. Judges, prosecutors, professors and other experts talk about themes in law that many people face.