Crimes regarding the abuse of free-living (wild) animals
The article addresses the issue of criminal responsibility for the crime of abuse of free-living (wild) animals. It touches upon the issues related to the assessment of a legal interest – humanitarian protection of animals, which this crime targets. The aim of this protection is to counteract actions which involve the illegal infliction of gratuitous and excessive pain or suffering to animals. Moreover, the two-way nature of the aforementioned protection and the way in which wild animals are subjected to it are also highlighted. The article also includes the analysis of the elements of animal abuse crime, with particular attention put on its forms towards wild animals and game.
Keywords: protection of animals, humanitarian protection of animals, animal abuse, wild animals, game
