Animal cruelty — Mattilsynet · Norway

Direct answer

Animal cruelty is an offence in every EU country and there is a specialised route in most: Mattilsynet — varsle om dyr som lider (22 40 00 00) — the animal-welfare inspectorate or hotline for Norway — can visit, seize the animal and prosecute. For an animal in immediate danger or a violent owner, Politiet — anmeldelse (02800). Kommunen — servicetorg (norge.no) handles stray animals, dangerous dogs and licensing. Report with facts, not feelings: what you saw, when, where, and photos if you can take them safely.

Call firstMattilsynet — varsle om dyr som lider

Report toPolitiet — anmeldelse

If that failsKommunen — servicetorg

🗣️ What to say

"At [address / location] I have seen [animal] [chained without water / injured / beaten / left in a car] on [dates, times], photos attached. I would like to report this and ask for an inspection. I can be contacted at [number] / I prefer to stay anonymous."

🪜 Step by step

Observe and documentDates, times, what exactly. Photos from public space. Do not enter private property.
Report to Mattilsynet — varsle om dyr som liderOnline form or hotline. Anonymous reports are accepted in most countries.
Immediate danger: Politiet — anmeldelseA dog in a hot car, a beating in progress — the police can act now.
Strays and dangerous animals: Kommunen — servicetorgThe municipality collects strays and handles dog-licensing and bite reports.
Follow upAsk for the case number and, if nothing changes, report again with new dates. Repeat reports move cases.

📇 All contacts

Mattilsynet — varsle om dyr som liderAnimal-welfare reports, inspection, rehomingFor neglect or abuse📞 22 40 00 00 🔗 www.mattilsynet.no/dyr/dyrevelferd/varsle-om-dyr-som-lider

Politiet — anmeldelseReport online or via 02800Always — the basis for bank, insurer and platform📞 02800 🔗 www.politiet.no/tjenester/anmelde

Kommunen — servicetorgNuisances, roads, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.norge.no

Støttesenter for kriminalitetsutsatte (politiet) / Kontoret for voldsoffererstatningFree support and guidance, violent-crime compensationAfter any crime📞 800 40 008 🔗 www.politiet.no/tjenester/stottesenter-for-kriminalitetsutsatte

❓ Frequently asked

Will the owner know it was me?

Not from the inspectorate. Reports are confidential; anonymous reporting is possible.

A dog barks all day in a flat

That can be a welfare issue (left alone too long) and a noise issue. Report to Mattilsynet — varsle om dyr som lider with times; the noise page covers the rest.

Farm or transport animals

Same authority in most countries; live-transport complaints go to the veterinary service at Mattilsynet — varsle om dyr som lider.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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“report animal cruelty Norway”
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