Bulgaria to Propose Jail Time for Animal Cruelty

Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, wants jail time for cases of animal cruelty, which are not rare in the country. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, is proposing 1 to 5 years behind bars for individuals convicted of committing acts of cruelty against animals.

The amendment will be included in the new Penal Code, and was triggered by Bulgaria's latest animal cruelty case where an unknown perpetrator cut the four paws of a dog in the town of Dryanovo.

The amendment was requested from Naydenov by representatives of animal rights organizations, who met with the Agriculture Minister Tuesday. Meanwhile, an online petition collected thousands of signatures for incriminating acts of animal cruelty.

The amendments will be prepared by a working group of lawyers, Members of the Parliament and NGOs.