Scientific Journal of the National Academy of Internal Affairs

Actual problems of legal regulation of social relations in the sphere of animal welfare from cruel treatment are analyzed. Questions of responsibility for carrying out such actions with animals are highlighted. The research is based on the scientific works of such scientists as N. S. Bondarenko, A. Butkevich, A. Danilevsky, I. Golovko, D. Kalmykov, S. Khimchenko, V. Kopylyan, V. Kuznetsov, V. Miroshnichenko, V. Morozova, Т. Short, V. Tourist, D. Zakharov, N. Zubchenko, and the provisions of the Criminal Code, the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, the Law of Ukraine «On the Protection of Animals from Cruel Treatment». It is established that the pan-European and world trend towards humane treatment of animals obliges Ukraine to adhere to international norms and rules for the treatment of animals. Based on the experience of European countries in this area, proposals are being made to legislatively settle the issue of compulsory registration of animals, the process of breeding, selling and burial at the level of law with clearly defined sanctions for violation of these procedures. Conclusions. The solution of the problem of cruel treatment of animals is possible only on the basis of an integrated approach. Only an improved administrative and legal mechanism for improper maintenance of animals can resolve the issues of preventing cruelty to animals. In addition, legal awareness of the population is carried out within the framework of carrying out preventive measures with the population