Animal Cruelty in Court – Success in Poland
The calves on the cruel transport that we stopped together with the Polish authorities were in a desolate condition.
Animal transport often involves enormous suffering: too little space, no access to water, injured or dead animals. As an animal welfare organization, we do not look away—we document such conditions and take them to court. Because only when abuses are prosecuted can real change happen.
One example of this is a particularly serious case we discovered in Poland in 2019. Together with the authorities, we stopped a transporter that was attempting to transport 181 calves from Lithuania to Israel - a distance of 4,500 kilometers. On site, we found unbearable conditions: the animals were weak, thirsty, and hungry, had hardly any space – and some had already died.
We initiated legal proceedings that lasted more than five years. The first verdict was sobering: small fines for the drivers. But we did not give up and took the case to the next level. With success: the verdict was tightened, and the drivers were sentenced to higher fines and suspended sentences. If they reoffend, they even face imprisonment.
23 out of 25 court cases won
Over the past ten years, we have brought 25 cases to court in Poland for violations of the Animal Welfare Act – and won 23 of them. These successes show that legal pressure works. However, such proceedings are complex and expensive – without donations, they would not be possible.
Even though it takes a lot of patience and perseverance, such efforts are worthwhile. Our Polish lawyer sums it up:
“The participation of AWF and TSB in law enforcement measures and court proceedings is very important in familiarizing officials and judges with animal welfare laws and influencing case law. [...] This will ensure that animals are better protected in the future.”
Unfortunately, animal welfare is often still a blind spot in the Polish justice system. In 2023, for example, we documented a transporter in which pigs were crammed so tightly that they could barely stand – yet the driver was found not guilty. Setbacks like this show that the fight is far from over.
Animals need a voice, including in court. That's why we are needed – and why we need people to support us. Together, we are taking a stand against animal cruelty. For justice. For real protection. For change.
