According to the Justice Statistics portal, managed by the Directorate-General for Justice Policy, between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2024, authorities, primarily PSP and GNR, identified 1,706 men and 1,308 women suspected of committing the crime of abandoning pets.
In 2015, 205 people were identified, marking the lowest number in the decade, while last year saw 320 identifications.
The peak occurred in 2022, with 364 identifications.
During the same decade, police recorded 6,711 crimes of pet abandonment.
Annually, the lowest was 472 cases in 2015, and the highest was 801 in 2019.
Last year, there were 652 recorded crimes.
In 2025, GNR registered 214 crimes of pet abandonment by July 31, while PSP reported 117 offenses by June 30, according to statements from the two security forces to Lusa.
Most abandoned animals are dogs and cats, with summer being a critical period.
“Typically, the greatest number of pet abandonments occurs during the main vacation period, particularly in summer,” GNR stated.
Emphasizing that “adopting a pet always entails responsibilities,” the security force appeals for “responsible behavior” even during vacations.
“There are […] alternatives that provide necessary conditions for pets to be properly accommodated if they cannot be transported to vacation spots. Abandoning a pet is never a solution,” the GNR highlighted.
The PSP echoes this appeal, urging all citizens to “respect the ‘rights of animals’.”
According to the Penal Code, the crime of pet abandonment is punishable by up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 60 days.
Saturday marks International Abandoned Animal Day.
