– This is so serious that we find reason to investigate this case, says police attorney Øyvind Bore in the Sør-West police district. A few weeks ago, dozens of cats were taken out of a home on Karmøy. Many had to be euthanized. The police have already obtained some documentation in the case from Animal Protection. Now they want to collect even more from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. In addition, they will question several witnesses. And the cat owner. – It is this person who will be the subject of a criminal investigation, says Bore. Police attorney Øyvind Bore in the Sørvest police district. Photo: The police It is the most serious cases that end up with the police. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority takes care of the rest. Several have been convicted of violating the Animal Welfare Act in recent years. At the latest in July, a woman was sentenced to 60 days in prison for violating the Animal Welfare Act in Sogn og Fjordane District Court. The case is similar to the one the police are now investigating in Karmøy. – The police districts have been given resources with a view to animal welfare matters. We also work with these types of cases and prioritize them, says Bore. From 1 January this year, all police districts received extra resources to combat animal crime. Happy and relieved – It is a relief that the police have now started an investigation, says general manager Elisabeth Ellingsen of Animal Protection Norway, Haugaland department. Figures news has obtained from the Norwegian Police Directorate show an increase in the number of reports for violations of the Animal Welfare Act over the past five years. In 2016, 341 cases were reported to the police. In 2021, the number was 538. That is an increase of 58 per cent. The clearance rate has also increased from 33 to 46 per cent. It was Animal Protection that found the first emaciated cats on Karmøy. General manager Elisabeth Ellingsen in Animal Protection Norway, department Haugesund. Photo: Rosa Irén Villalobos / news The organization stepped in when a homeowner asked for help. He rented out a home on his property and had seen many sick cats. – It’s the worst thing I’ve seen. Mostly because there were so many sick cats at once, says Ellingsen. It was she who reported the case to the police for Animal Protection. – It feels like we are being taken seriously now. We have often experienced that neither we nor the poor animals are seen. So this is fantastic. She hopes it will be easier to get cases investigated in the future. Increased focus on animal welfare At the same time as increased resources for the police, there were also new guidelines for cooperation between the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the police in the most serious cases. Most of the cats found were kittens. Many had to be euthanized. Photo: Animal protection – Units dedicated to animal welfare have been created. It is, after all, an important prerequisite to get good work done in such cases, says police attorney Øyvind Bore. He also sees that people are more concerned with animal welfare. – It is therefore not unnatural that it generates more cases for the police, says Bore. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is also following up on the case. Head of department Kristin Lervåg in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Department Sunnhordland and Haugalandet. Photo: Private – We do not wish to comment further because this includes a private animal farm, writes head of department Kristin Lervåg in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority in an email to news. – Are you happy that the police can now prioritize the worst cases? – The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is satisfied that the police have the opportunity to prioritize serious animal welfare cases, and which may be followed up in the legal system. The police are not aware that the cat’s owner has a lawyer. The person has not yet been questioned.
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The police have opened an investigation into malnourished cats on Karmøy – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
