HOW IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR USING ELECTRICITY TO KILL RATS THAT CAUSING DEATH TO PEOPLE?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. The law strictly prohibits the act of using electricity to kill rats

2. Administrative penalties for the act of using electricity to kill rats

3. How is the punishment for using electricity to kill rats that cause death?

1. The law strictly prohibits the act of using electricity to kill rats

According to Article 7 of the Electricity Law 2004, the prohibited acts are stipulated as follows:

“Article 7. Prohibited acts in electricity activities and electricity use

1. Destroying electrical equipment and facilities, electricity-measuring or counting equipment or electricity works.

2. Conducting electricity activities without permits as provided for by this Law.

3. Switching on, switching off electricity supply illegally.

4. Violating the regulations on safety in electricity generation, transmission, distribution and use.

5. Obstructing the inspection of electricity activities and use.

6. Stealing electricity.

7. Using electricity as animal traps or protection means, except for cases prescribed in Article 59 of this Law.

8. Violating the regulations on protection of electricity grid safety corridors, on safe distances of transmission tines and transformer stations.

9. Supplying untruthful information, thus causing harms to the legitimate rights and interests of organizations or individuals conducting electricity activities or using electricity.

10. Abusing positions and/or powers to harass for bribes, cause troubles, earn illicit profits in electricity activities and/or electricity use.

11. Other acts of violation prescribed by electricity legislation.”

According to Article 59 of the Electricity Law 2004:

“Article 59. Using electricity as direct protection means

1. Using electricity as a direct protection facility means the use of electric source with appropriate voltage for direct connection with fences, barriers or shields of protected areas (hereinafter referred collectively to as electric fences) in order to prevent the infiltration into the protected areas and to emit alarming signals to persons guarding such areas.

2. Electricity shall be used as a direct protection means only when other protection measures have been applied inefficiently, and such must be permitted by competent state agencies.

3. Electric fences must be designed and installed to avoid all accidental contacts with people and cattle, to have danger signboards, not to affect the operation of electric system and not to cause danger to vicinities and living environment. The electric fence managers and users must be professionally trained in electricity.

4. The Minister of Public Security, the Minister of Defense shall, within the ambit of their respective tasks and powers, prescribe areas permitted for use of electric fences.

5. The Industry Minister shall prescribe standards and conditions for using electricity as direct protection means.”

2. Administrative sanctions for using electricity to kill rats

Pursuant to Point d, Clause 5, Article 15 of Decree 134/2013/ND-CP dated October 17, 2023, stipulating sanctions for administrative violations in the electricity sector:

“Article 15. Violation of regulation on electricity safety

5. A fine of 60,000,000 dong to 70,000,000 dong shall be imposed for one of the following violations:

d) Using electricity to trap, capture animals or as a direct means of protection contrary to the provisions of law;”

3. How is the use of electricity to kill rats that causing death to people handled?

Pursuant to Article 128 of the 2015 Penal Code, amended and supplemented in 2017, the crime of involuntary manslaughter is stipulated as follows:

“Article 128. Involuntary manslaughter

1. A person who commits an involuntary manslaughter shall face a penalty of up to 03 years’ community sentence or 01 – 5 years’ imprisonment.

2. The murder of 02 or more people in this case shall carry a penalty of 03 – 10 years’ imprisonment.”