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A recent case in Switzerland has shown that even pets can become the target of perfidious criminal machinations. In Schlieren in the canton of Zurich, a dog owner became the victim of blackmail after his two Bolonka dogs were kidnapped.
The perpetrators demanded a high ransom, but were eventually arrested. But how is a dog kidnapping classified under criminal law?
Criminal classification of dog abduction
In an interview with Swiss Radio SRF 4 our lawyer for dog law spoke about the possible criminal provisions in Switzerland. Even though animals are not considered property under Swiss law, they are still treated as such in many aspects of criminal proceedings. This means that dog abduction can consist of various criminal offenses:
- Extortion (Art. 156 StGB): The perpetrators demanded a substantial sum of money under threat – a classic blackmail offense punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment.
- Theft (Art. 139 StGB): Since pets are treated like other people’s property under criminal law, dog abduction can also be classified as theft.
- Coercion (Art. 181 StGB): The psychological distress caused to the victim by threats can also constitute criminal coercion.
Emotional attachment vs. legal assessment
Although for many people a dog is a fully-fledged member of the family, this emotional bond is hardly reflected in Swiss criminal law. While child abduction is punished with much higher penalties, the sanctions for dog abduction are often milder in comparison. The perpetrators in this case have to answer for their actions in court – the punishment they actually face depends on many factors.
Your contact for dog law and criminal law in Winterthur
If you yourself have a legal question in the area of dog law or criminal law we will be happy to assist you. Our lawyer in Winterthur will provide you with comprehensive advice on all legal issues relating to pets, property offenses and criminal law.
Matthias Fricker
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the University of St. Gallen, graduating with a Master in Law (M.A. HSG in Law) in 2012, registered in the Bar Register of the Canton of Zurich, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
Fabian Füllemann
Attorney at law and partner at Fricker and Füllemann Attorneys at Law
Studied at the Universities of St. Gallen and Zurich, graduating with a Master of Law UZH in 2013, registered with the Zurich Bar Registry, member of the Zurich Bar Association.
