35-degree heat leaves kittens to die in basket – penalties called “a joke”

Animal welfare groups in Lithuania are demanding tougher penalties after a basket of live kittens was abandoned in extreme heat in Vilnius, with two of the five animals later dying, LRT reports.

A driver in Kretinga district also reported seeing kittens being thrown from a moving car window. Police have launched an investigation into both incidents.

Mantas Kanapickas of the animal welfare organisation Lesė said the kittens were found in critical condition. Two died immediately, while the remaining three are now in stable condition. He described the case as unusual, noting that while animal abandonment is common, leaving them trapped in a basket during a heatwave was extreme.

Ramūnas Matonis, a spokesperson for the Police Department, confirmed that officers are investigating the circumstances. No formal complaint has been filed yet, but police have begun gathering information to identify those responsible.

Gediminas Gvazdaitis, director of the State Food and Veterinary Service’s Supervision Department, said authorities—including the service, police, and municipal representatives—respond to all reports of animal cruelty. Around 300 such reports are received quarterly, with about a third confirmed. He added that preventive measures, such as meetings with municipalities, are in place to address stray animal issues.

Linas Jonauskas, chair of the Seimas Environmental Protection Committee, argued that the main issue is a lack of accountable institutions. He called for stronger control and prevention mechanisms rather than just relying on penalties.