# Reporting Suspected Animal Cruelty

> Witnessing animal cruelty? Do not confront anyone. Record the facts from a safe place, then report to a police SPKT desk, or call 110 in an emergency.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/emergency/report-animal-cruelty/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/darurat/laporkan-kekerasan-hewan/
_This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same data as the HTML page. Cite the HTML page URL and its update date._

**Review status:** Compiled from the official sources listed and approved for publication by the editor (Kaiser Khan, 1 October 2026). This is not a review by a veterinarian or wildlife expert; in an emergency, follow the instructions of responders or health workers.

**Caution:** Put safety first. For urgent situations, contact appropriate medical, veterinary, or authorised responders. This page does not receive incident reports or dispatch help.

## Key points

- The new Criminal Code (KUHP, Law 1/2023) took effect on 2 January 2026. Animal cruelty now falls under Article 337, replacing the old code's Article 302.
- Article 337 carries up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to Rp10 million, rising to 1 year 6 months or Rp50 million if the animal is disabled, gravely injured or dies.
- Law 41/2014 also bans animal abuse and obliges anyone who knows of it to report it to the authorities.
- If the victim is a protected wild animal, also report it to Gakkum Kehutanan or the BKSDA.

## Start with these steps

1. Do not confront the suspected abuser or enter property without permission.
2. If people are threatened or the abuse is happening now, call the police on 110.
3. Note what you saw yourself: date, time, address, the animal's condition, the person's description and any witnesses.
4. Take photos or video only from a safe, lawful place. Keep the original, unedited files.
5. Report to the SPKT desk at the nearest police station with your notes and evidence.
6. For protected wildlife, also report to Gakkum Kehutanan or the BKSDA.
7. Do not remove an animal from someone else's property. Ask officers about help for the animal.

## Which article of the new Criminal Code covers animal cruelty?

Law 1/2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP) took effect three years after enactment, on 2 January 2026, and repealed the old code containing Article 302. Article 337 of the new KUHP punishes anyone who hurts or injures an animal or harms its health excessively or without proper purpose, or has sexual contact with an animal, with up to 1 year in prison or a fine of up to category II (Rp10 million).

If the animal is left sick for over a week, disabled, gravely injured or dead, the maximum rises to 1 year 6 months in prison or a category III fine (Rp50 million). An offender's own animal may be confiscated and placed somewhere suitable. Article 338 also covers acts such as working an animal beyond its natural capacity and giving it harmful substances.

Evidence: [JDIH BPK — UU No. 1 Tahun 2023 tentang KUHP (Pasal 79, 337, 338, 622, 624)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/234935/uu-no-1-tahun-2023)

## Are there other laws besides the Criminal Code?

Article 66A of Law 41/2014 on Animal Husbandry and Animal Health bans anyone from abusing and/or misusing animals in ways that leave them disabled and/or unproductive. Paragraph (2) obliges anyone who knows of such acts to report them to the authorities. Its penalties have been adjusted by Law 1/2026 on Criminal Penalty Adjustment.

For protected wildlife, Article 21(2) of Law 5/1990 as amended by Law 32/2024 bans injuring or killing them, with much heavier penalties.

Evidence: [JDIH BPK — UU No. 41 Tahun 2014 (amending UU 18/2009 on animal husbandry and health)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38801/uu-no-41-tahun-2014) · [JDIH BPK — UU No. 1 Tahun 2026 tentang Penyesuaian Pidana](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/337869/uu-no-1-tahun-2026) · [JDIH BPK — UU No. 32 Tahun 2024 (amending UU 5/1990)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/295135/uu-no-32-tahun-2024)

## Where do I report animal cruelty?

Criminal reports go to the integrated police service desk (SPKT) at a sector, district or regional police station. Polri says the SPKT handles public reports and complaints. If abuse is happening now or people are threatened, call the Polri call centre on 110, which is free and takes reports of violence.

If the victim is a protected wild animal, you can also report through the Gakkum Kehutanan complaints app or to the BKSDA. A report does not guarantee an immediate rescue; ask the officers about the animal's needs.

Evidence: [Polri — Sentra Pelayanan Kepolisian Terpadu (SPKT)](https://polri.go.id/layanan/spkt) · [Polri — Call Center 110](https://polri.go.id/kontak/call-center-110) · [Gakkum Kehutanan — Pengaduan Penegakan Hukum Kehutanan](https://pengaduan.gakkum.kehutanan.go.id/)

## How can I document cruelty safely?

Your safety matters more than evidence. Do not trespass or confront the person. Write notes as soon as you can: date, time, address, what was done, the animal's condition and who else saw it. Separate what you witnessed from what you were told, and keep original, unedited files.

Polri's complaints site, Dumas Presisi, says a complaint can be followed up when it comes with logical and adequate supporting evidence, so clear notes help the officers.

Evidence: [Polri — Dumas Presisi (pengaduan masyarakat)](https://dumaspresisi.polri.go.id/)

## What does good animal welfare look like?

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) uses the Five Freedoms as a guide to the conditions animals under human control should have: freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst; from fear and distress; from heat stress or physical discomfort; from pain, injury and disease; and freedom to express normal behaviour. They help describe what you saw; the legal assessment is for the authorities.

Evidence: [WOAH — Animal welfare](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare/)

## Sources & references

1. [JDIH BPK — UU No. 1 Tahun 2023 tentang KUHP (Pasal 79, 337, 338, 622, 624)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/234935/uu-no-1-tahun-2023)
2. [JDIH BPK — UU No. 41 Tahun 2014 (amending UU 18/2009 on animal husbandry and health)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/38801/uu-no-41-tahun-2014)
3. [JDIH BPK — UU No. 1 Tahun 2026 tentang Penyesuaian Pidana](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/337869/uu-no-1-tahun-2026)
4. [JDIH BPK — UU No. 32 Tahun 2024 (amending UU 5/1990)](https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/295135/uu-no-32-tahun-2024)
5. [Polri — Sentra Pelayanan Kepolisian Terpadu (SPKT)](https://polri.go.id/layanan/spkt)
6. [Polri — Call Center 110](https://polri.go.id/kontak/call-center-110)
7. [Polri — Dumas Presisi (pengaduan masyarakat)](https://dumaspresisi.polri.go.id/)
8. [Gakkum Kehutanan — Pengaduan Penegakan Hukum Kehutanan](https://pengaduan.gakkum.kehutanan.go.id/)
9. [WOAH — Animal welfare](https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-welfare/)

## Keep exploring

- [Finding an Animal Injured on the Road](https://panduanhewan.org/en/emergency/animal-road-injury/)
- [Find organisations](https://panduanhewan.org/en/organisations/)
- [Volunteering for Animals](https://panduanhewan.org/en/guides/volunteering-for-animals/)

---

Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Reporting Suspected Animal Cruelty. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/emergency/report-animal-cruelty/