How are animals protected by French law?

The protection of pets in the civil code

The Civil Code considers pets as goods and not things. Dating back to 2015, article 515-14 states that “Animals are living beings endowed with sentient beings. Subject to the laws that protect them, animals are subject to the property regime.” Animals are therefore no longer considered non-living objects, but remain objects that can be owned and used. Previously, pets were considered in the Civil Code as movable property or immovable property by purpose. They had no legal personality. In 1976 the Rural Code introduced the notion of “living being endowed with sensitivity”.

The protection of pets in the penal code

In France, the penal code protects animals from ill-treatment and acts of cruelty. French law distinguishes between acts punishable by a fine and those which constitute a crime. The fines concern ill-treatment (Article R 654-1 of the Penal Code), involuntary attacks on the life or integrity of an animal (Article R 653-1) and intentional attacks on the life of an animal (Article R 655 -1).

Acts of cruelty and serious abuse fall within the offense under Article 521-1, as amended by the law of November 30, 2021. They are punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 45,000 euros. The penalties are increased to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros if the facts lead to the death of the animal. Bullfighting and cockfighting remain permitted in case of “uninterrupted local tradition”.

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The rural and maritime fishing code

Article L214-3 of the rural code establishes that it is forbidden to mistreat domestic animals and wild animals that are tamed or kept in captivity. The Council of State defines by decree the specific measures to ensure the protection of these animals from ill-treatment and abusive use. This concerns, for example, rearing, housing, slaughtering and transport techniques. The article adds that biological, medical or scientific experiments on animals must be “limited to cases of strict necessity”.

The law of November 30, 2021: new measures

This law proposes a series of measures to combat animal abuse. Here are some:

Article 521-1 increased the penalties for acts of cruelty to animals. The deliberate killing of a domesticated or domesticated animal becomes a felony. As an alternative or in addition to the prison sentence, the judge may order the continuation of an awareness course on the prevention and fight against animal abuse;
future owners of an animal must sign a “certificate of commitment and knowledge” and respect a reflection period of 7 days before taking possession of the animal;
the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops has been prohibited since 2024;
animal shows in traveling circuses have been banned since 2028;
dolphin or killer whale shows banned since 2026;
farms of mink and other wild animals for their fur are prohibited.

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The protection of wild animals

French law only protects pets, captive animals and protected species (listed by the Ministry of the Environment). Wild animals living in the wild can be hunted in accordance with the rural code.

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