What liability is provided for children under the age of 14 for cruelty to animals?

Main provisions:

1. Responsibility of a child under 14 years of age:

• Children under the age of 14 are not administratively or criminally liable for animal cruelty.

2. Responsibility of parents or legal representatives:

• If a child under the age of 14 commits acts that fall under the category of cruelty to animals, his or her parents or persons in loco parentis may be held administratively liable.
• Grounds: failure to fulfil child-rearing responsibilities.
• Penalty: UAH 850 to UAH 1700 (Article 184 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses).

3. Time limit for bringing to liability:

• Parents can be held administratively liable within 3 months from the date of the violation.

Note:

• If the child has caused significant damage to the animal, the court may impose additional measures on the parents, for example, to oblige them to compensate the animal owner for the damage.