In the last four years, the county administrative board has received over 1,000 reports about animals that get sick – thanks in large part to the law lex Maja. TV4 Nyheterna has met with the non-profit association Akutgruppen, which, among other things, takes care of homeless cats. – It is important that the public dare and have the courage to do something, says volunteer Helena. Since 2019, over 1,000 reports of animals getting sick have come in, according to figures from Sweden’s county administrative boards that TT has seen. The notifications come after lex Maria made it permissible for healthcare professionals to sound the alarm. The law was introduced after the cat Maja starved to death alone in her home when her owner was hospitalized. The owner had a home service that did not choose to act with reference to the Privacy Act. But with lex Maja, health care personnel are now allowed to break confidentiality in order to sound the alarm to either the police or the county administrative board. TV4 Nyheterna has visited Akutgruppen, which is a non-profit association that, among other things, organizes emergency shelters for cats waiting for permanent homes. One of the volunteers fighting for animal rights is Helena, who thinks the new law is good. – Animals cannot speak. They can’t tell if they’re in trouble. It is important that there are laws and it is important that the public dare and have the courage to do something, she says. “A wonderful feeling” One of the people from the group who received cats is Jörg. – It is extremely enriching. It’s nice to come home and have cats that really care that I exist. It’s a wonderful feeling, he says. It’s not just cats and dogs that get hurt. According to the county board’s figures, there are several notifications concerning rabbits, guinea pigs, horses, cattle, chickens and turtles. Eleonor Fredler, chairman of the Swedish Veterinary Association, says that there are still more steps to be taken. – We naturally think that the law is a step in the right direction, but would definitely like to see it be sharper, so that it would be an obligation to report if you see an animal that is not getting the care it needs or is in harm’s way, says she to TT. Watch the full feature in the player above.
t4-general