Serbian Prosecutors Investigate Parents After Minors Abuse Horse

Serbian authorities are investigating the parents of two minors after the children were caught mistreating a horse. The incident occurred on July 22 when a citizen detained the minors who were allegedly beating a horse with a wooden stick and forcing it to climb a hill. Video footage of the event was shared on Instagram.

Prosecutors noted that the minors are under 14 years old, meaning they cannot be prosecuted. However, their parents may face charges for neglecting their children and allowing them to engage in cruel and insensitive behavior towards the animal. The parents are also accused of forcing their children to collect cardboard from communal waste, an activity deemed inappropriate for their age and harmful to their development.

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Having in mind that the minors are younger than 14 years old, and therefore it is not possible to conduct criminal proceedings against them, the Prosecutor's Office is of the opinion that in the actions of their mother and father, the essential elements of the criminal offense of 'neglect and abuse of a minor' are met, meaning that they have 'neglected their children' through gross neglect of parental duty, which resulted in their cruel and insensitive behavior towards the animal.

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade has forwarded the case to the First Basic Public Prosecutor's Office for further action. They also recommended that the responsible prosecutor instruct the Veterinary Inspection to seize the abused horse and prevent further mistreatment.

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It is necessary for the competent basic public prosecutor's office to order the Veterinary Inspection of the Republic to take action to confiscate the abused horse from the said persons and prevent it from being exposed to inhumane treatment again.