An average of two seizures of animals by animal welfare services and police forces in Flanders took place every day last year – the highest number ever. However, this is more likely a result of increased checks rather than heightened abuse.
A total of 889 seizures – in which animals are taken away from their owners because they are treated badly in their ownership – were carried out last year, equating to two per day. Never before have animals been taken into protection so frequently, according to Flemish Animals Minister Ben Weyts.
"Those who do not take good care of animals are not allowed to keep them anymore," Weyts said. "Decisive enforcement is the logical capstone of our animal policy. Things that used to be left unpunished, we no longer tolerate."
However, Weyts stressed that this figure is not necessarily shocking, as the number of checks on animal suffering also rose sharply to 6,569 inspections (+24% since 2020). The number of warnings and official reports drawn up also increased significantly, up by 95% and 16.5%. Weyts also decided to revoke a breeder's recognition 11 times last year.
The Region has in recent years invested in a substantial expansion of the Animal Welfare Department, both in its budget and the number of staff. "This means the animal policy gained much more credibility," Weyts noted. "Flemish people are also quicker to report animal suffering: they now have more confidence that something will be done with a report."
He concluded that people must prevent avoidable animal suffering. "Our Flemish society is no longer prepared to simply stand by when animals are mistreated."
