associations, police and magistrates work side by side in Toulouse

While a shock report reveals a 30% increase in animal abuse acts since 2016, associations, police and magistrates have joined forces in Toulouse to protect animals and condemn the perpetrators of these acts.

A cat with a fractured skull, a dog beaten by its owner or a pig kicked to death, images of animal abuse are invading social networks. In Toulouse, associations, police and magistrates are mobilized to promote the defense of animals.

Now adopted by Céline Gardel, a policewoman from Toulouse, Hancock has come a long way. Two years ago, these 10-year-old staff were still victims of violent abuse by their former owner: “When I first saw him it was a little sack of bones and there was no emotion in his eyes”she says. “He knew the strokes but not the caresses. He had to relearn everything and today he is finally happy”.

With her association “les 4 pattounes” created 3 years ago, Céline Gardel is fighting against animal abuse. You receive dozens of reports every week: “cruelty seems to have no limits” she explains. “These photos and videos are often unbearable.”

According to a study by the Ministerial Statistical Service for Internal Security, the police and gendarmerie services recorded 12,000 cases of animal suffering in 2021 alone, 17% more than the previous year. It’s bad treatment every 44 minutes in France.

In an attempt to eradicate the phenomenon, Gérald Darmanin announced at the end of October 2022 the creation of a division of specialized investigators, in charge of this issue.

In this fight against animal abuse, Toulouse is at the forefront with the creation in September 2022 of a single judicial center in France. The environment and animal abuse division of the Toulouse Court of Appeal covers 6 jurisdictions: Toulouse, Saint-Gaudens, Montauban, Castres, Albi and Foix.

This center will allow us to intervene more quickly ” explains Franck, Rastoul, prosecutor at the Toulouse Court of Appeal. “Monitoring of procedures will be strengthened as soon as the complaint is made. The idea is to repair the animals very quickly, convict the perpetrators and prevent them from being able to keep the animals after they are sentenced. This can happen very quickly. A delay. a few days instead of more than a year today. “.

We remind you that the perpetrators of animal abuse risk up to 5 years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros.

Toulouse shows the example. Because at the end of 2022 a dozen associations, such as the SPA or “the 4 pattounes”, join their efforts with the police and the judiciary.

The pole has already been seized in about forty cases since its creation in September. For their part, the police are trained and informed on this type of crime to better deal with the reports of animal welfare associations.

“It’s urgent,” says a SPA investigator in Toulouse. “Every week we receive about fifty animals, many of them victims of abuse.”

Associations, law enforcement agencies and magistrates met on Wednesday 8 November to determine new joint actions.