Animal cruelty — Matvælastofnun (MAST) · Iceland

Direct answer

Animal cruelty is an offence in every EU country and there is a specialised route in most: Matvælastofnun (MAST) — dýravelferð (530 4800) — the animal-welfare inspectorate or hotline for Iceland — can visit, seize the animal and prosecute. For an animal in immediate danger or a violent owner, Lögreglan — kæra (444 1000). Sveitarfélagið — þjónustuver (samband.is) 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 firstMatvælastofnun (MAST) — dýravelferð

Report toLögreglan — kæra

If that failsSveitarfélagið — þjónustuver

🗣️ 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 Matvælastofnun (MAST) — dýravelferðOnline form or hotline. Anonymous reports are accepted in most countries.
Immediate danger: Lögreglan — kæraA dog in a hot car, a beating in progress — the police can act now.
Strays and dangerous animals: Sveitarfélagið — þjónustuverThe 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

Matvælastofnun (MAST) — dýravelferðReports of abuse, inspectionFor neglect or abuse📞 530 4800 🔗 www.mast.is/is/dyravelferd

Lögreglan — kæraReport online or at a stationAlways — the basis for bank, insurer and platform📞 444 1000 🔗 www.logreglan.is/thjonusta/kaera-brot

Sveitarfélagið — þjónustuverNuisances, streets, waste, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.samband.is

Heilbrigðiseftirlit sveitarfélagaUnhealthy housing, mould, pests, noiseWhen health is at risk at home🔗 www.samband.is/verkefni/umhverfismal/heilbrigdiseftirlit

❓ 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 Matvælastofnun (MAST) — dýravelferð 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 Matvælastofnun (MAST) — dýravelferð.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

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“report animal cruelty Iceland”
“animal welfare hotline Iceland”
“dog left in hot car who to call”
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