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Zaf, the rescued dog: Tougher punishments demanded for animal abusers!
Gloria rescued Zaf, an abused dog. The petition calls for harsher penalties for animal cruelty under French law.
Zaf, the rescued dog: Tougher punishments demanded for animal abusers!
The sad story of Zaf, a dog who had to live through hell on earth, is currently moving many people in France and beyond. On November 1, 2025, the volunteer president of the animal protection organization Toutous et Minous de Nîmes, Gloria, reported on a dramatic operation at the animal sanctuary in Vallerargues in the Gard department. Zaf, a four-year-old Great Dane-Rottweiler mix, was in a state of disaster. He was given to a private owner, who did not take care of him. When he was rescued, Zaf weighed just 19kg - a dangerously low figure considering his breed normally weighs between 30 and 35kg.
The vets who examined Zaf were horrified by his condition. A doctor determined that the dog probably would have only had two to three days to live if it had not been rescued in time. However, despite his extreme weakness, the dog still showed a glimmer of hope - a truly incredible will to survive!
Legal consequences for animal cruelty
Gloria and her organization are now calling for the strict application of Article 521-1 of the French Penal Code. This paragraph treats acts of abuse against animals as a deliberate, cruel offense against a living being in need of protection. Those responsible for Zaf's abuse could face severe penalties: up to three years in prison, a fine of 45,000 euros and a lifetime ban from owning a pet. The maltreated animals must be protected not only from physical violence, but also from neglect and improper living conditions.
In Germany and France, the mistreatment of animals is a serious crime. Droit rural, administrative law and civil law contribute to the regulation of animal welfare issues. A new legislative initiative, in force since the end of 2021, has further increased the penalties for animal cruelty in order to give animals the protection they deserve. Clearly identifiable forms of abuse include both active cruelty, such as beatings and severe abuse, and passive offenses, such as lack of adequate care and deprivation of food. Even abandoning an animal is considered a cruel act.
The path to recovery
The last few years have already shown progress in the fight against animal cruelty: For example, a breeder in Paris was recently sentenced to eight months in prison after his dogs were found in a cruel condition. In Lyon, too, a four-month prison sentence was handed down for violating the animal protection law. Such judicial measures are essential to further advance animal protection and create awareness of animal rights in society. Continuous vigilance in animal protection must be carried out by every citizen.
To support Zaf's story, Gloria and her initiative have launched a petition to draw attention to the injustices of animal cruelty. The signatures collected are intended to give a voice not only to Zaf, but also to other abused animals. Anyone who would like to support animal protection can find further information on the organization's Facebook page and its website.
Zaf's rescue is more than just an isolated incident; it symbolizes the urgent need for legal reforms, animal protection and strong civil society engagement. Let's fight together for the weakest among us!