Killing Ladybugs, Snails, and Snakes in Serbia? Get Your Wallet Ready!
Did you know that in Serbia, you can be fined for accidentally stepping on a snail or killing a ladybug? No, this is not a joke, but a reality that few people know about! Lawyer Ivona Tanasijević Stošić reveals that the law protecting wild domestic animals in Serbia imposes fines even for the smallest insects and reptiles.
Tiny Reptiles and Insects Protected by Law
Killing a ladybug can cost you 15 dinars, a grasshopper 9 dinars, and a snail even 1 dinar! Yes, you read that right – snails are protected too! Even if a child accidentally steps on a snail, it is punishable. Small reptiles like snakes are also protected, with fines ranging from 50 to 100 dinars depending on the species.
Protected Large Animals and Million-Dinar Fines
If you think only insects and small reptiles are protected, think again. Killing a brown bear, one of the most protected species, can cost you up to a million dinars! Killing a wild cat carries a fine of several tens of thousands of dinars. The law is serious and makes no distinction between small and large animals when it comes to protection.
Why Are These Fines Important?
Lawyer Tanasijević Stošić points out that most people are unaware of these laws, leading to many violations, often unintentional. During summer, when snakes often appear in parks and residential areas, people often kill them out of fear, not knowing it is strictly punishable. Instead of killing them, the advice is to avoid or call the relevant authorities.
Is the Law Too Harsh?
Some might say that a 1-dinar fine for killing a snail is laughable, but it is a symbolic sign that every animal killing matters. On the other hand, million-dinar fines for large animals clearly show how seriously the state takes nature protection.
What Does This Mean for Us?
Next time you see a ladybug or a snail, remember that killing them is punishable by law. Maybe it’s time to stop harassing animals, even the smallest ones. And yes, if you accidentally step on a snail, better have your wallet ready!
Fun Fact: Fines for killing a cabbage butterfly are 10 dinars, about 0.08 euros, while the fine for killing a brown bear is around 10,000 euros! The difference is huge, but the message is clear – every animal deserves respect.
Conclusion
The animal protection law in Serbia is not just a formality. It reminds us that we are part of nature and must respect even its smallest inhabitants. Next time you think about stepping on a snail or killing a ladybug, remember – it can cost you, and not a little!
So, have you ever accidentally stepped on a snail? Or maybe you proudly own a ladybug? Share your stories, maybe you’ll teach us all how to better protect nature – or at least how to avoid fines! 😉