Lithuania confiscates 161 animals from violators this year

Lithuania’s State Food and Veterinary Service has confiscated 161 animals from violators this year, LRT reported on Monday.

The service said the overall number of animals confiscated in recent years has not changed significantly, but the nature of the violations is shifting. Authorities are increasingly dealing with animal hoarding and negligent care of farm animals, creating a need to improve legislation and cooperation between institutions.

In 2024, 133 pets and 15 farm animals were confiscated from 43 keepers. In 2025, 64 pets and five farm animals were taken from 21 keepers. This year, the number of violators has fallen to 15, but the number of confiscated animals has risen sharply to 135 pets and 26 farm animals.

The service said the farm animal sector and complex, large-scale cases have received particular attention this year. Several confiscations involved keepers who had negligently cared for cattle. In one case, authorities had to find a safe new place for 30 neglected cattle.

“When a large number of farm animals are taken, the main challenge is to find suitable and safe care for them and ensure a smooth process. The animals must be transported safely to a new location, treated and provided with proper care,” Kristina Ulienė, head of the service’s Animal Welfare Division, said in a statement.

She said the cases showed the importance of public vigilance and the involvement of local institutions such as municipalities. Reporting critical animal-keeping conditions at an earlier stage, before neglected herds become large, would allow situations to be managed more quickly and smoothly, she said.

Under Lithuania’s Law on Animal Welfare and Protection, municipalities must ensure the temporary removal and care of animals before an institutional decision or court ruling is issued. The veterinary service said municipalities should have clear procedures and advance agreements with farms, temporary carers and animal keepers, as well as pre-planned transport, care locations and designated responsible people.

The service receives an average of about 300 reports of possible animal welfare violations and cruelty every quarter. About one-third, or 30 percent, are confirmed. Most involve relatively uncomplicated but harmful cases of neglect.

Violators face administrative liability, including fines and measures such as animal confiscation or bans on keeping animals. More than 22,000 euros in fines were imposed under the relevant provision in 2024 and 2025.

The service supports targeted tougher penalties for repeated and systematic violations, saying that continuous improvements to legal regulation and close cooperation between all responsible institutions are essential to protecting animals.