Fines for animal cruelty are being increased in Azerbaijan, this was reflected in the proposed amendment to the Code of Administrative Offenses, which was discussed at today's session of the Milli Majlis (Parliament), Paralel.Az reports.

According to the law in force, a fine of five hundred (500) manats is imposed for mutilating or killing animals by treating them mercilessly.

According to the draft law, a fine of 500 to 800 manats will be imposed for cruel treatment of animals, i.e. inflicting them pain, suffering, torture, beating them or making them fight.

If the intended actions are committed in a demonstrative manner, including by showing them in the media, a fine in the amount of eight hundred to one thousand manats will be imposed. If these actions lead to mutilation of the animal, a fine of one thousand (1000) to one thousand five hundred (1500) manats will be imposed. If the same actions lead to the killing of animals, a fine of 1,500 to 2,000 manats will be imposed, or, depending on the circumstances of the case, administrative imprisonment for a period of up to one month will be applied, taking into account the identity of the offender.

Fines are also defined for promoting animal cruelty or using it for commercial purposes.

According to the proposed new Article 274-1 to the Code of Administrative Offenses, a fine in the amount of 1,000 to 1,500 manats is imposed for promoting the cruel treatment of animals or making open calls for such behavior, as well as using materials that depict this treatment for commercial purposes, or, depending on the circumstances of the case and the identity of the offender, administrative detention for up to one month to be imposed.

The draft law was put to the vote and adopted in the first reading.