Any association that has been duly registered for at least five years on the date of the events and whose statutory purpose is the defence and protection of animals may exercise the rights granted to civil parties in respect of the offences provided for in the code pénal and articles L. 215-11 and L. 215-13 of the Code rural et de la pêche maritime (Rural and Maritime Fishing Code) punishing abandonment, serious or sexual abuse, acts of cruelty and mistreatment of animals as well as deliberate attacks on the life of an animal.
A foundation recognised as being in the public interest may exercise the rights granted to civil parties under the same conditions and subject to the same reservations as the association mentioned in this article.