We are pleased to announce the conclusion of proceedings in which the legal team of Pietrzak Sidor & Wspólnicy represented a veterinarian charged with animal cruelty in connection with the first kidney transplant procedures performed in Poland on terminally ill dogs. On 11 September 2025, the Warsaw Regional Court overturned the earlier conviction and acquitted the veterinarian of all charges.

The appellate court accepted the defence argument that the procedures had been undertaken to save the lives of the recipient dogs, which were in a terminal condition, and that transplantation was the only available method of attempting to preserve their lives.

“We welcome this judgment, as it confirms the position we have consistently advanced. The Court emphasised that the procedures had been carried out with the utmost diligence and professional care, following a thorough and accurate assessment of how the transplant procedures might affect the wellbeing of the donor dogs. The Court also highlighted the need for legal regulation concerning animal transplantation” – comments advocate Kacper Florysiak of our firm.

The veterinarian was represented by adv. Kacper Florysiak and adv. Ignacy Strzałkowski, working in cooperation with adv. Konrad Orlik, adv. Julia Ziemska, Advocate Trainee Korina Kowalska, and Legal Advisor Mikołaj Stępkowski.