Bulgaria Animal Cruelty Perpetrators Face Harsh Penalties

Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, says perpetrators of animal cruelty will soon face up to 5 years behind bars. Photo by BGNES

The amendments in the Bulgarian Penal Code making cruelty against animals a criminal act are ready, Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, announced Wednesday.

In cases of cruelty, leading to the death or permanent injuries for the animal, the punishment will now be jail time between 1 and 3 years and a fine between BGN 5 000 and BGN 15 000.

If the cruelty is a repeated act or is perpetrated before children, the penalty is up to 5 yeas behind bars and the fine increases – from BGN 10 000 to BGN 30 000.

Naydenov is convinced the majority in the Parliament will pas the new amendments.

The swift reaction 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.

A week ago, the amendments were requested from Naydenov by representatives of animal rights organizations. Meanwhile, an online petition collected thousands of signatures for incriminating acts of animal cruelty.

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

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!