When should you report cases of suspected animal abuse?
You should report all cases of suspected animal cruelty or serious neglect to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority or the police. Below you can find out what to report, and how to do it.
How do you report a concern?
- Dead or serioulsy sick animal: Contact the veterinarian on call in the local municipality. Check the municipality's website for contact information.
- Stray dog or animal without an owner: Contact the police (politiet.no).
- Serious contagious animal diseases or pressing animal welfare matters, contact us by e-mail: postmottak@mattilsynet.no
What should you report?
You should inform the Norwegian Food Safety Authority or the police if you have reason to believe someone is abusing animals. Abuse means using violence against an animal or treating an animal in a brutal manner.
You also have a duty to report someone if you have reason to believe that they:
- are not giving animals enough food or water
- are not providing seriously ill or injured animals with proper treatment
- have abandoned animals in a helpless condition
- are keeping animals in places that are dangerous, extremely dirty or otherwise completely unsuitable for the animals
- are keeping animals that are very dirty or unkempt
- are keeping animals in violation of a ban on animal ownership (“disqualification order”)
- are keeping animals outdoors without access to a suitable shelter with enough space for all the animals to lie down there at the same time. This point does not apply to:
- cattle, sheep, goats, horses, llamas and alpacas during the grazing season
- farmed deer and domesticated reindeer all year round
- sheep kept outdoors without a shelter all year round, with special dispensation from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority
To have “reason to believe” that the conditions are serious enough to report, you must either:
- have seen or heard the animals and the conditions they are kept in, including how they are treated, or
- have special knowledge or information about animal husbandry
Do not immediately notify the Norwegian Food Safety Authority or the police about issues you have already raised with the animal owner. Wait until you have reason to believe the owner will not improve the animals’ living conditions before reporting someone.
NB: The Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the police do not wish to receive notifications that do not require reporting. Such reports are not followed up and reduce the time available to address serious cases.
What should you do if you are subject to a duty of confidentiality?
If you are subject to a duty of confidentiality, you may be exempt from the duty to report. However, the duty of confidentiality can be set aside for certain groups, in which case individuals may still report. You must decide yourself whether a duty of confidentiality prevents you from reporting someone. This applies to:
- veterinarian or other animal health professionals
- doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, ambulance personnel or other healthcare personnel
- individuals subject to a duty of confidentiality under Section 13 of the Norwegian Public Administration Act