Seeing animal cruelty in Serbia — how to report it

First, stay safe

Do not confront the person. Record what you can, from a distance, without putting yourself or the animal at risk.

What to document

• Photos and video, with the date visible if possible
• The exact address or location
• Who is involved (as much as you can safely establish)
• The condition of the animal

Where to report

• Police — 192 (day and night). Animal abuse is handled as a criminal offence or a misdemeanor depending on the circumstances
• The unified emergency number 112 works from any phone, even without credit or signal
• Local animal-welfare NGOs (for example SPANS in Novi Sad, association Prijatelj in Belgrade) help file reports and sometimes transport the animal to a vet

What happens after

The police or the local inspectorate examines the case; the owner can be fined, and in serious cases (torture, killing) it is a criminal offence with a possible prison sentence. Your report — even an anonymous one — starts the process.