Document 173 - Amendment to the Criminal Code – RJ

Scope: pages 1–3.

The amendment repeals points 3 through 7 of the main proposal, thereby removing the newly introduced criminal offense in Section 302 for the unjustified killing of a dog or cat out of reprehensible motives. It justifies this by arguing that it constitutes a disproportionate expansion of criminal law without sufficient expert analysis, data, or impact assessment. The proposal also points out the ambiguity of the term “reprehensible motive” and the inconsistent preferential treatment of only dogs and cats over other animals. The goal is to keep these acts outside the scope of the new criminal legislation for the time being and not to adopt this change without a broader expert discussion.

Scope: Part One–Part Three; § 9d–§ 10; pages 1–5.

The amendment expands the bill to include a change to the Act on the Criminal Register and the Record of Misdemeanors. An entry in the registry relevant to working with children is to automatically apply only to aggravated bodily injury committed against a child under 15 years of age, not to all cases of this offense. At the same time, bodily injury caused to a child is excluded from automatic registration; however, a court may still order such a registration in individual cases.

Scope: Part One–Part Three; Section 9d; pages 1–4.

The amendment also expands the proposed amendment to include a change to Act No. 270/2025 Coll. concerning the registration of information relevant to working with children. Retroactive automatic entries starting in 2027 are to be limited to convictions under the Criminal Code in order to reduce the risk of erroneous entries from older cases. At the same time, the requirement that the conviction must have occurred no earlier than 2005 is being repealed; the only determining factor will be whether the statutory retention period for the record has yet expired.

Scope: Part One–Part Five; § 2d–§ 93a; pages 1–7.

The amendment expands the main proposal to include changes to the rules governing the child certificate, i.e., the record of information relevant to working with children. For children under the age of fifteen and juveniles, a record shall be created only on the basis of an explicit court decision regarding a risk to children, not automatically; the special automatic assessment of juvenile perpetrators of sexual abuse is also repealed. The retroactive addition of records starting in 2027 is not to apply to individuals who committed the offense as juveniles. The proposal adjusts the related procedures of the courts, the public prosecutor’s office, and the criminal records registry.

Scope: Part One–Part Three; § 9d–§ 10; pages 1–5.

The proposed amendment also extends the amendment to the Criminal Code under consideration to include a change to the Act on the Criminal Record and the Register of Misdemeanors. It removes “causing bodily harm to a child under 15 years of age” from the list of criminal offenses that generally result automatically in an entry in the registry for working with children. However, for this offense, the court may still impose a record on a case-by-case basis if it finds a risk to children. The proposal responds in particular to one-time or peer-related violent incidents, for which an automatic entry may not be proportionate.

Scope: Page 1.

The amendment changes the penalty for killing an animal out of reprehensible motives: instead of a separate criminal offense applicable only to cats and dogs, it classifies it as a basic offense of animal cruelty applicable to all animals. The minimum sentence for this offense is increased from six months to one year; the penalty is to be one to three years. The subsequent points of the original proposal are deleted because they are no longer necessary, and the remaining point is renumbered.

Scope: Part One–Part Six; § 11–§ 79; pages 1–21.

The amendment expands the main bill to include related changes; in particular, it introduces verifiable criminal record extracts for work with children, the validity of which can be verified remotely for up to five years. An older verifiable extract may then replace the repeated submission of a new extract, for example, during school field trips and recreational events; these rules are to take effect on July 1, 2027. Individuals who are already working with children in designated professions will have to submit a criminal record check for work with children by March 31, 2027; the previous provisions regarding these obligations in Act No. 270/2025 Coll. are repealed and replaced by this new solution.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–4.

The amendment expands the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives and without legal justification from cats and dogs to all animals. It is thus intended to unify animal protection and remove species-specific restrictions, which the sponsors consider unjustified. The increase in the penalty for animal cruelty from six months to three years to one to three years remains unchanged.

Scope: Part One; Sections 28a–28c; pages 1–2.

The proposed amendment allows a municipality to transfer ownership of an abused animal to the state three months after the animal has been seized, even if the original owner is covering the costs of foster care. This applies only if the owner cannot be expected to reform and provide proper future care for the animal. A decision on the transfer may be made even before the final conclusion of administrative or criminal proceedings, so that the animal can be permanently handed over to a new owner.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against the killing of cats and dogs out of reprehensible motives and without lawful cause to include chimpanzees as well. It justifies this on the basis of the chimpanzee’s high level of social and cognitive development, its sensitivity to inappropriate treatment, and the strict international protection afforded to the species. The proposal is not intended to restrict legal breeding but to penalize specific cases of the killing of chimpanzees.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include bonobos as well. Alongside cats and dogs, this species would thus be afforded special protection under criminal law. The proposal highlights the bonobos’ high cognitive and social abilities and challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal as a pet.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the Sumatran orangutan. In addition to cats and dogs, this critically endangered species is to receive special protection under criminal law. The proposal challenges the notion that increased protection should depend solely on whether the animal is commonly kept in Czech households, and emphasizes the orangutan’s abilities and its closeness to humans.

Scope: pages 1–3.

The amendment extends the new criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the bottlenose dolphin. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to receive special protection under criminal law. The proposal challenges the notion that a higher level of protection should depend solely on how commonly the animal is kept in Czech households.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include bonobos as well. Alongside cats and dogs, this species would thus be afforded special protection under criminal law. The proposal highlights the bonobos’ high cognitive and social abilities and challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal as a pet.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the killer whale as well. The existing list of cats and dogs is thus amended to include cats, dogs, and orcas. The explanatory memorandum emphasizes the orca’s advanced cognitive and social abilities and challenges protection based solely on the common practice of keeping the animal as a pet.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The proposed amendment extends the newly introduced special criminal protection against killing without lawful cause and with a reprehensible motive to include the lowland gorilla as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species of primate would thus also be explicitly protected. The proposal challenges the notion that greater protection for animals should depend solely on whether they are commonly kept as pets in households.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include bonobos as well. Alongside cats and dogs, this species would thus be afforded special protection under criminal law. The proposal highlights the bonobos’ high cognitive and social abilities and challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal as a pet.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against the killing of cats and dogs without lawful cause to include parrots as well. It is thus intended to penalize the killing of a parrot for reprehensible motives in the same manner as for a cat or dog. The proposal is justified by the complex needs of parrots, their capacity to suffer, and their dependence on human care. There are no restrictions on legal ownership or lawful grounds for killing them.

Scope: § 302–§ 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment expands the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause. Special protection is to apply not only to cats and dogs but also to the Bornean orangutan. The proposal emphasizes that a higher level of protection should not depend solely on whether the animal is commonly kept in Czech households, but also on its abilities and other general criteria.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The proposed amendment extends the new criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the New Caledonian crow. The current list of protected species is thus amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the New Caledonian crow. The amendment challenges the notion that enhanced criminal protection should depend solely on whether an animal is commonly kept as a pet in households, and points to the special abilities of this species.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of an animal for a reprehensible motive to include the Indian elephant as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species would thus also be explicitly protected. The amendment challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal in Czech households, and highlights its cognitive and social abilities.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include bonobos as well. Alongside cats and dogs, this species would thus be afforded special protection under criminal law. The proposal highlights the bonobos’ high cognitive and social abilities and challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal as a pet.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include cockatoos as well. The existing definition protecting cats and dogs is amended to include cats, dogs, and cockatoos. The rationale is based on their social needs, capacity to suffer, and dependence on humans; legal ownership and lawful killing are not restricted.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal protection against killing out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the common dolphin as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species of dolphin would thus also be explicitly protected. The proposal challenges the notion that greater protection should be based solely on the prevalence of keeping the animal in Czech households, and emphasizes its cognitive and social abilities.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the new criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the koala. In addition to cats and dogs, the koala is to be specifically protected under criminal law, without this restricting legal breeding or lawful killing. The explanatory memorandum emphasizes the koala’s sensitivity, capacity for suffering, and specific life needs.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of animals for reprehensible motives to macaques as well. In addition to cats and dogs, the elements of the offense in Section 302 of the Criminal Code would thus also apply to this genus of primates. The proposal justifies this on the grounds of their high social and cognitive complexity, their documented presence in the Czech Republic, and the difficulty of providing them with suitable conditions; however, it is not intended to restrict legal ownership.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection in cases of killing motivated by reprehensible intent without lawful cause to include domestic guinea pigs as well. The list of protected animals is thus changed from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and domestic guinea pigs. The explanatory memorandum emphasizes that this enhanced protection should not be limited to the most commonly kept species without a valid reason.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection against the killing of an animal out of reprehensible motives and without lawful cause to include domestic horses as well. Therefore, in addition to cats and dogs, domestic horses should also be explicitly mentioned in § 302. The proposal justifies the change by citing the sensitivity of horses and their dependence on human care, and questions the differing levels of protection based on the species of animal.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment expands the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause. In addition to cats and dogs, the sperm whale is also to receive special criminal protection. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only animals commonly kept as pets and calls for it to be based on more general criteria.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the flying squirrel as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this exotic species would thus also receive special protection under criminal law. The proposal challenges the notion that enhanced protection of animal life should be limited solely to commonly kept species.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include cockatoos as well. The existing definition protecting cats and dogs is amended to include cats, dogs, and cockatoos. The rationale is based on their social needs, capacity to suffer, and dependence on humans; legal ownership and lawful killing are not restricted.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection against the killing of animals without lawful cause from cats and dogs to include the California sea lion as well. It thereby raises the question of whether enhanced protection should depend solely on whether an animal is commonly kept as a pet in households, or also on its abilities and other general criteria. The proposal would expand the range of species whose killing for reprehensible motives is to be a separate criminal offense.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include macaws, in addition to cats and dogs. It is thus intended to strengthen the special criminal law protection afforded to these intelligent parrots, which are dependent on human care. This is not intended to restrict legal ownership or lawful grounds for killing.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal law protection against the killing of cats and dogs without legal grounds to include the quokka. The main bill thus explicitly adds another protected animal species. The explanatory memorandum points to the quokka’s vulnerability, its contact with humans, and its limited population; the bill does not restrict legal breeding or lawful killing.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment expands the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause. In addition to cats and dogs, the sperm whale is also to receive special criminal protection. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only animals commonly kept as pets and calls for it to be based on more general criteria.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing a cat or dog out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include brown bears as well. Special criminal protection would thus apply to the three explicitly listed species. The amendment challenges the notion that greater protection of an animal’s life should depend solely on whether it is commonly kept as a pet.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the domestic canary. Special protection would thus apply not only to cats and dogs but also to this species of bird, which is dependent on human care. The proposal is not intended to restrict the legal keeping or lawful killing of animals.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of animals for reprehensible motives to macaques as well. In addition to cats and dogs, the elements of the offense in Section 302 of the Criminal Code would thus also apply to this genus of primates. The proposal justifies this on the grounds of their high social and cognitive complexity, their documented presence in the Czech Republic, and the difficulty of providing them with suitable conditions; however, it is not intended to restrict legal ownership.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include cockatoos as well. The existing definition protecting cats and dogs is amended to include cats, dogs, and cockatoos. The rationale is based on their social needs, capacity to suffer, and dependence on humans; legal ownership and lawful killing are not restricted.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include cockatoos as well. The existing definition protecting cats and dogs is amended to include cats, dogs, and cockatoos. The rationale is based on their social needs, capacity to suffer, and dependence on humans; legal ownership and lawful killing are not restricted.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of animals for reprehensible motives to macaques as well. In addition to cats and dogs, the elements of the offense in Section 302 of the Criminal Code would thus also apply to this genus of primates. The proposal justifies this on the grounds of their high social and cognitive complexity, their documented presence in the Czech Republic, and the difficulty of providing them with suitable conditions; however, it is not intended to restrict legal ownership.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection against the killing of an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the red-and-green macaque. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly listed in Section 302(2) of the Criminal Code. The explanatory memorandum challenges the notion that greater protection should apply only to species commonly kept in Czech households.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the domestic canary. Special protection would thus apply not only to cats and dogs but also to this species of bird, which is dependent on human care. The proposal is not intended to restrict the legal keeping or lawful killing of animals.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal protection against killing out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to siamangs as well. The list of protected species is thus changed from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and siamangs. The amendment challenges the notion that greater protection for animals should depend solely on whether they are commonly kept as pets, and highlights the siamang’s cognitive and social abilities.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection against the killing of an animal out of reprehensible motives and without lawful cause to include domestic horses as well. Therefore, in addition to cats and dogs, domestic horses should also be explicitly mentioned in § 302. The proposal justifies the change by citing the sensitivity of horses and their dependence on human care, and questions the differing levels of protection based on the species of animal.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the new criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the sea otter as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species would thus also receive special criminal protection. The proposal challenges the notion that greater protection of animal life should depend solely on whether animals are commonly kept as pets in Czech households.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal protection against killing out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the common dolphin as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species of dolphin would thus also be explicitly protected. The proposal challenges the notion that greater protection should be based solely on the prevalence of keeping the animal in Czech households, and emphasizes its cognitive and social abilities.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal law protection in cases of serious cruelty or killing to meerkats as well. In this provision, the existing list of “cats and dogs” is amended to “cats, dogs, or meerkats.” The proposal does not restrict the legal keeping of meerkats but emphasizes their social and natural needs when in human care.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the new criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the koala. In addition to cats and dogs, the koala is to be specifically protected under criminal law, without this restricting legal breeding or lawful killing. The explanatory memorandum emphasizes the koala’s sensitivity, capacity for suffering, and specific life needs.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against killing out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include walruses as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is thus to be explicitly protected as well. The amendment challenges the notion that greater protection for animals should depend solely on whether they are commonly kept as pets in Czech households.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the special criminal law protection proposed for cats and dogs to include the western hedgehog as well. Killing a western hedgehog out of reprehensible motives without a lawful reason is to be punishable in the same manner as killing a cat or a dog. The explanatory memorandum emphasizes the hedgehog’s vulnerability to human actions, without restricting legal breeding or lawful killing.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the special criminal law protection proposed for cats and dogs to include the western hedgehog as well. Killing a western hedgehog out of reprehensible motives without a lawful reason is to be punishable in the same manner as killing a cat or a dog. The explanatory memorandum emphasizes the hedgehog’s vulnerability to human actions, without restricting legal breeding or lawful killing.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of an animal for a reprehensible motive to include the Indian elephant as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species would thus also be explicitly protected. The amendment challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal in Czech households, and highlights its cognitive and social abilities.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the domestic canary. Special protection would thus apply not only to cats and dogs but also to this species of bird, which is dependent on human care. The proposal is not intended to restrict the legal keeping or lawful killing of animals.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the new criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the koala. In addition to cats and dogs, the koala is to be specifically protected under criminal law, without this restricting legal breeding or lawful killing. The explanatory memorandum emphasizes the koala’s sensitivity, capacity for suffering, and specific life needs.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the special criminal law protection proposed for cats and dogs to include hamsters and gerbils as well. The crime of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without a lawful reason would thus also apply to these commonly kept companion animals. The proposal does not change the rules governing the legal keeping of animals or the killing of animals permitted by law.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against the killing of cats and dogs out of reprehensible motives and without lawful cause to include chimpanzees as well. It justifies this on the basis of the chimpanzee’s high level of social and cognitive development, its sensitivity to inappropriate treatment, and the strict international protection afforded to the species. The proposal is not intended to restrict legal breeding but to penalize specific cases of the killing of chimpanzees.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the Sumatran orangutan. In addition to cats and dogs, this critically endangered species is to receive special protection under criminal law. The proposal challenges the notion that increased protection should depend solely on whether the animal is commonly kept in Czech households, and emphasizes the orangutan’s abilities and its closeness to humans.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of dogs and cats without lawful cause to include the silk-tailed mongoose as well. The amendment questions whether greater protection should depend solely on whether an animal is commonly kept in Czech households and advocates the use of more general criteria. The proposal does not change the proposed penalties, only the range of protected species.

Scope: Pages 1–2.

The proposed amendment extends the criminal protection currently being drafted—which applies to killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause—to include the slender cheetah. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be protected in this manner; legal breeding and lawful killing remain unchanged. The proposal is justified by the cheetah’s special needs, its sensitivity, and its dependence on professional human care.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against the killing of cats and dogs without lawful cause to include parrots as well. It is thus intended to penalize the killing of a parrot for reprehensible motives in the same manner as for a cat or dog. The proposal is justified by the complex needs of parrots, their capacity to suffer, and their dependence on human care. There are no restrictions on legal ownership or lawful grounds for killing them.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing a selected animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the pale finch, in addition to cats and dogs. It aims to challenge the limitation of special protection to commonly kept species and to open a debate on general criteria for enhanced criminal law protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against the killing of cats and dogs out of reprehensible motives and without lawful cause to include chimpanzees as well. It justifies this on the basis of the chimpanzee’s high level of social and cognitive development, its sensitivity to inappropriate treatment, and the strict international protection afforded to the species. The proposal is not intended to restrict legal breeding but to penalize specific cases of the killing of chimpanzees.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The proposed amendment extends the proposed special criminal law protection in cases of animal killing to include the narwhal as well. In addition to cats and dogs, narwhals are therefore to be expressly protected. The authors justify the change by citing the narwhal’s capacity for suffering, its specific needs, and its sensitivity to changes in the Arctic environment; this is not intended to restrict the legal grounds for killing or the legal keeping of narwhals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against killing out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to the Amazon river dolphin as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected, without restricting the legal breeding or lawful killing of the animal. The amendment is justified by the need to protect the species’ capacity to suffer and its vulnerability to human activity.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment expands the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause. In addition to cats and dogs, the sperm whale is also to receive special criminal protection. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only animals commonly kept as pets and calls for it to be based on more general criteria.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the long-finned humpback whale. The current definition of protected species is amended from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and the long-finned humpback whale. The aim is to challenge protection based solely on the animal’s common coexistence with humans and to promote more general criteria for the special protection of animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the Sumatran orangutan. In addition to cats and dogs, this critically endangered species is to receive special protection under criminal law. The proposal challenges the notion that increased protection should depend solely on whether the animal is commonly kept in Czech households, and emphasizes the orangutan’s abilities and its closeness to humans.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of animals for reprehensible motives to macaques as well. In addition to cats and dogs, the elements of the offense in Section 302 of the Criminal Code would thus also apply to this genus of primates. The proposal justifies this on the grounds of their high social and cognitive complexity, their documented presence in the Czech Republic, and the difficulty of providing them with suitable conditions; however, it is not intended to restrict legal ownership.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the Sumatran orangutan. In addition to cats and dogs, this critically endangered species is to receive special protection under criminal law. The proposal challenges the notion that increased protection should depend solely on whether the animal is commonly kept in Czech households, and emphasizes the orangutan’s abilities and its closeness to humans.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal law protection against the killing of cats and dogs without legal grounds to include the quokka. The main bill thus explicitly adds another protected animal species. The explanatory memorandum points to the quokka’s vulnerability, its contact with humans, and its limited population; the bill does not restrict legal breeding or lawful killing.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed special criminal protection against the killing of dogs and cats without lawful cause to include the silk-tailed mongoose as well. The amendment questions whether greater protection should depend solely on whether an animal is commonly kept in Czech households and advocates the use of more general criteria. The proposal does not change the proposed penalties, only the range of protected species.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment expands the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause. In addition to cats and dogs, the sperm whale is also to receive special criminal protection. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only animals commonly kept as pets and calls for it to be based on more general criteria.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection for the killing of an animal out of reprehensible motives to include the ringed penguin as well. The list of protected species is thus changed from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and ringed penguins. The amendment questions the rationale for basing greater protection solely on the common keeping of an animal in Czech households and calls for a substantive justification for the differences between species.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal law protection against the killing of cats and dogs without legal grounds to include the quokka. The main bill thus explicitly adds another protected animal species. The explanatory memorandum points to the quokka’s vulnerability, its contact with humans, and its limited population; the bill does not restrict legal breeding or lawful killing.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal law protection against killing out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include the Liberian pygmy hippopotamus as well. The protection thus expands from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and Liberian pygmy hippos. The proposal is not intended to restrict legal breeding or killing for reasons specified by law.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against the killing of an animal out of reprehensible motives and without legal grounds to include the giant panda. The current list of protected species is thus changed from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and giant pandas. The proposal challenges the notion that greater protection of an animal’s life should depend solely on whether it is commonly kept in Czech households.

Scope: § 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the new criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the sea otter as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species would thus also receive special criminal protection. The proposal challenges the notion that greater protection of animal life should depend solely on whether animals are commonly kept as pets in Czech households.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing a cat or dog out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the plains zebra as well. The proposers question whether increased protection for selected animals should depend solely on whether they are commonly kept as pets in households, and they demand a substantive justification for the differing levels of protection afforded to different species.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection against the killing of animals without lawful cause from cats and dogs to include the California sea lion as well. It thereby raises the question of whether enhanced protection should depend solely on whether an animal is commonly kept as a pet in households, or also on its abilities and other general criteria. The proposal would expand the range of species whose killing for reprehensible motives is to be a separate criminal offense.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include cockatoos as well. The existing definition protecting cats and dogs is amended to include cats, dogs, and cockatoos. The rationale is based on their social needs, capacity to suffer, and dependence on humans; legal ownership and lawful killing are not restricted.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include macaws, in addition to cats and dogs. It is thus intended to strengthen the special criminal law protection afforded to these intelligent parrots, which are dependent on human care. This is not intended to restrict legal ownership or lawful grounds for killing.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment expands the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause. In addition to cats and dogs, the sperm whale is also to receive special criminal protection. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only animals commonly kept as pets and calls for it to be based on more general criteria.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the spotted hyena as well. In addition to cats and dogs, this species is to be explicitly protected by special criminal provisions. The proposal challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include bonobos as well. Alongside cats and dogs, this species would thus be afforded special protection under criminal law. The proposal highlights the bonobos’ high cognitive and social abilities and challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal as a pet.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include cockatoos as well. The existing definition protecting cats and dogs is amended to include cats, dogs, and cockatoos. The rationale is based on their social needs, capacity to suffer, and dependence on humans; legal ownership and lawful killing are not restricted.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include bonobos as well. Alongside cats and dogs, this species would thus be afforded special protection under criminal law. The proposal highlights the bonobos’ high cognitive and social abilities and challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal as a pet.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include bonobos as well. Alongside cats and dogs, this species would thus be afforded special protection under criminal law. The proposal highlights the bonobos’ high cognitive and social abilities and challenges the notion that greater protection should depend solely on how common it is to keep the animal as a pet.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The proposed amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the Cape honey badger. In addition to cats and dogs, this species would thus also receive special protection under criminal law. The amendment challenges the limitation of enhanced protection to only commonly kept domestic animals and calls for more generally justified criteria.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection against the killing of animals without lawful cause from cats and dogs to include the California sea lion as well. It thereby raises the question of whether enhanced protection should depend solely on whether an animal is commonly kept as a pet in households, or also on its abilities and other general criteria. The proposal would expand the range of species whose killing for reprehensible motives is to be a separate criminal offense.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed special criminal protection for the killing of an animal out of reprehensible motives to include the ringed penguin as well. The list of protected species is thus changed from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and ringed penguins. The amendment questions the rationale for basing greater protection solely on the common keeping of an animal in Czech households and calls for a substantive justification for the differences between species.

Scope: pages 1–2.

The amendment extends the proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds to include macaws, in addition to cats and dogs. It is thus intended to strengthen the special criminal law protection afforded to these intelligent parrots, which are dependent on human care. This is not intended to restrict legal ownership or lawful grounds for killing.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–2.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against the killing of an animal out of reprehensible motives and without legal grounds to include the giant panda. The current list of protected species is thus changed from cats and dogs to cats, dogs, and giant pandas. The proposal challenges the notion that greater protection of an animal’s life should depend solely on whether it is commonly kept in Czech households.

Scope: Part One–Part Nine; § 33–§ 368; pages 1–24.

The amendment adds to the original tightening of penalties for cruelty to humans and animals a comprehensive revision of criminal law protection of the environment in accordance with European Union law. It introduces or expands criminal liability for serious damage to nature, water, and forests; illegal disposal of waste, mercury, and hazardous substances; pollution from ships; and the spread of invasive species. It also regulates the powers of relevant authorities, and most of the environmental provisions are set to take effect one month after the law is promulgated; the original provisions regarding the protection of humans and animals will remain in effect as of January 1, 2027.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The amendment extends special criminal law protection in cases of killing motivated by reprehensible intent to include the raccoon dog, in addition to cats and dogs. It emphasizes that the invasive status of this species does not justify abuse or cruel killing, even though its control in the wild may be lawful. The amendment upholds the principle of protecting all animals from unjustified cruelty.

Scope: pages 1–3.

The amendment extends the newly proposed criminal offense of killing an animal out of reprehensible motives without lawful cause to include the coypu. Special protection, originally intended for cats and dogs, is to apply to coypu as well, despite its status as an invasive species. The proposal emphasizes that the regulation of invasive animals must not justify cruel or arbitrary killing.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The amendment extends special criminal protection against killing out of reprehensible motives to include the red-eared slider. In addition to cats and dogs, this invasive non-native species is thus to be explicitly protected. The proposal emphasizes that neither the animal’s invasive status nor its lower popularity among the public justifies its abuse, abandonment, or cruel killing.

Scope: Sections 27–28; pages 1–5.

The amendment expands the Act on the Protection of Animals Against Cruelty and transfers the adjudication of offenses involving the promotion of cruelty, cruelty, and the mistreatment of animals from municipal offices to regional veterinary administrations; in Prague, to the Municipal Veterinary Administration. This concentrates both professional veterinary oversight and decision-making on penalties within a single specialized authority, which is intended to increase expertise, consistency, and the speed of proceedings. Administrative proceedings that have already been initiated but not yet concluded will be completed in accordance with the existing rules.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–4.

The amendment extends special criminal protection in cases of killing out of reprehensible motives without lawful grounds from cats and dogs to chinchillas and other chinchilla-like animals. It justifies this on the grounds that these animals are kept as pets, depend on human care, and that certain species are endangered in the wild. The proposal is not intended to restrict legal pet ownership, but to allow for prosecution even in cases where these animals are killed under the conditions set forth in Section 302 of the Criminal Code.

Scope: Section 302; pages 1–3.

The proposed amendment expands the new criminal offense of unjustified killing out of reprehensible motives from cats and dogs to all companion animals. This protection may thus extend, for example, to rabbits, guinea pigs, parrots, companion horses, or aquarium fish, depending on the purpose for which they are kept. The increase in the penalty for animal cruelty from six months to three years to one to three years is retained, and the expanded protection also applies to certain cases subject to more severe penalties.