Definitions and Problems of Classification of Animals as Objects of Property Rights

Animals are considered as objects of property rights in civil law. The necessity of legal differentiation of all animals into two categories is justified: the animal world and animals in captivity. The legislative definition of “animal world” is investigated, its unique essential features are highlighted. A study of the category “other animals” is being conducted. Starting from the analysis of doctrinal positions on this issue, the author comes to the conclusion that it is necessary to legislate the category of«animals in captivity», by which it is proposed to understand individually defined animals that are under human control and satisfy his psychoemotional, property, protective, entertainment or other needs. The introduction of this term into the legal field of Russia will allow us to distinguish a category of animals that have their own specific legal regime, different from the animal world, where the latter can be exclusively owned by the state. The essential signs of animals in captivity are revealed. The author proposes to classify all types of animals in captivity on a functional basis into the following groups: domestic; agricultural; service; intended for cultural and entertainment purposes; laboratory. The legal regime of these natural objects as objects of property rights has its own peculiarities associated with additional requirements for the maintenance and proper treatment of these animals, indicating their practical significance for civil legislation.