Certain Issues of Formation and Development of Animal Law in Ukraine

The chapter is devoted to the analysis of the formation and development of animal law in Ukraine. The authors, first of all, study the historical background of the Ukrainian legal system. This task includes the impact of the historical heritage and European integration processes on the formation of the legal system in Ukraine in general and on the emergence of animal law in particular. Specific attention is paid to the case law of the European Court of Human Rights as one of the factors determining the content of the legal system in Ukraine. The chapter examines the system of legal acts in Ukraine, as well as their legal subordination. The authors then move on to analyse the general principles of legal regulation in the field of animal law in Ukraine and consider the entire range of existing legal acts, from the Constitution to acts of local self-government. The chapter also provides an overview of the types of legal liability for cruelty to animals, as well as the grounds for such liability. Relevant statistical data is provided. The authors also consider the latest changes in Ukrainian legislation on specific animal protection issues. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the problems and challenges faced by Ukraine as a whole and by animal owners during the military aggression of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.