Animal cruelty — Länsstyrelsen · Sweden

Direct answer

Animal cruelty is an offence in every EU country and there is a specialised route in most: Länsstyrelsen — djurskydd (lansstyrelsen.se) — the animal-welfare inspectorate or hotline for Sweden — can visit, seize the animal and prosecute. For an animal in immediate danger or a violent owner, Polisen — anmälan (114 14). Kommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskydd (skr.se) 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 firstLänsstyrelsen — djurskydd

Report toPolisen — anmälan

If that failsKommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskydd

🗣️ 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 Länsstyrelsen — djurskyddOnline form or hotline. Anonymous reports are accepted in most countries.
Immediate danger: Polisen — anmälanA dog in a hot car, a beating in progress — the police can act now.
Strays and dangerous animals: Kommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskyddThe 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

Länsstyrelsen — djurskyddReports of neglect, inspection, seizureFor neglect or abuse🔗 www.lansstyrelsen.se/djurskydd

Polisen — anmälanPolice report online or via 114 14Always — the basis for bank, insurer and platform📞 114 14 🔗 polisen.se/utsatt-for-brott/polisanmalan

Kommunen — kontaktcenter / miljö- och hälsoskyddNuisances, streets, waste, permits, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 skr.se/skr/tjanster/kommunerochregioner.html

Kommunens miljö- och hälsoskyddskontorHousing hygiene, mould, pests, noiseWhen health is at risk at home🔗 www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se

❓ 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 Länsstyrelsen — djurskydd 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 Länsstyrelsen — djurskydd.

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

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