From April 1st, health care personnel and social services staff have the right to break the privacy and notify if they see animals being neglected.

- They may notify the County Administrative Board if animals are ill. That is, if it is obvious that they are neglected or if they are seriously ill and injured and this is not corrected with other measures, says Helén Löfblad, a county veterinarian in Västernorrland.

Four applications so far

She says you should always try to solve the problem in other ways. For example, by talking to the person about it going. Or contact relatives. If that does not work, the staff has the right to contact the authorities and tell them.

So far, four such notifications have come to the County Administrative Board.

- It has affected people who have been admitted to care where animals have been left.

Did you expect more cases?

- No not really. I don't think it is that bad, but it is an important law to have when it is really bad, says Helén Löfblad.