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Government, Politicians, and Experts Push for Tougher Animal Cruelty Legislation

Risida Dimitrova
Government, Politicians, and Experts Push for Tougher Animal Cruelty Legislation
Government, Politicians, and Experts Push for Tougher Animal Cruelty Legislation
Protest against animal torture in Sofia, March 16, 2025 (BTA Photo/Blagoi Kirilov)
Sofia,  
17.03.2025 18:56
 (BTA)

The government, politicians and professional organizations are pushing for tougher animal cruelty legislation in Bulgaria in the wake of a high-profile animal cruelty case. 

On March 16, the Regional Prosecution Office of Pernik ordered the arrest of a 26-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man for torturing and killing animals, filming the acts and selling the footage to customers worldwide.  Authorities found a computer and a smartphone holding gigabytes of footage of atrocities committed on animals.

Bulgaria’s Justice Ministry proposed an amendment to Article 325b of the Penal Code related to acts of cruelty against vertebrates. According to the proposal, the penalty for cruelty against a vertebrate will be punishable by imprisonment of two to eight years and a fine ranging from BGN 2,000 to BGN 10,000. "This is a doubling of the upper limit [of the penalty], allowing courts greater flexibility in individualizing sentences, considering the specific degree of public danger posed by the offender," Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev explained.

The effective Article 325b of Bulgaria’s Penal Code says that anyone who, acting in cruelty against a vertebrate, illegally causes the death of the animal or a severe or lasting harm shall be punishable by imprisonment of up to three years and a fine from BGN 1,000 to 5,000. The punishment shall be imprisonment from one to three years and a fine from BGN 2,000 to 5,000 when the act has been committed: by a person who carries on a business activity or exercises a profession related to raising or taking care of animals; in a manner or by means which pose danger to the life of people or animals, by inflicting severe agony upon the animal, or committed with cruelty; in a public place or in the presence of a minor; repeatedly.

On Monday the Bulgarian Veterinary Union (BVU) issued an official position saying that "such acts not only cause suffering to living beings but are also a worrying sign of the level of humanity and morality in our society". "We categorically declare our uncompromising stance against all forms of animal cruelty. In this regard, we call for the immediate review and adoption of necessary legislative changes to criminalize severe forms of cruelty and to ensure effective law enforcement," said the BVU.

Bulgarian MEP Emil Radev (GERB/EPP) formally questioned the European Commission (EC) about planned legislative initiatives addressing animal cruelty and demanded stricter measures to combat abuse against animals. In Radev’s words, cases like the one in Bulgaria highlight the urgent need for legislative changes at the European level. "Numerous studies show a link between animal cruelty and human violence, so tackling such crimes is a matter not only of values but also of security. The EU must not allow such crimes to persist, hidden behind internet anonymity, legal loopholes, or ineffective control," the MEP argued.

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) is proposing changes to the Penal Code to combat animal cruelty, BSP's MP Gabriel Valkov told journalists on Monday in the National Assembly. The MP highlighted the serious nature of such cases, pointing out that similar incidents often escalate into violence against humans, including rape and serial killings. "This is why we need to introduce the full severity of the law today in Parliament," Valkov said. The proposed amendments include doubling prison sentences for severe cases of animal cruelty, from five to ten years. The BSP also suggests increasing fines from BGN 10,000 to BGN 25,000 to send a strong message against such acts of violence.

People from around the country gathered to protest in front of the Pernik court on Monday against animal abuse. They all insisted that immediate legislative changes are needed. “We will not stand this, they tortured animals, tomorrow they will attack us and our children. That’s why, we, the citizens of Pernik, have gathered here to show that we will not stand this any longer, we want security in society, in the state, we want the institutions to work,” the protesters said.

On Sunday, a larger protest was held in Sofia. The demonstration began in front of the Palace of Justice, after which the protesters marched to the National Assembly. With chants of "Reform", the people demanded that the MPs start work on legislative changes as soon as they convene on Wednesday. The protesters expect fair and most serious punishments for the Pernik pair, stricter laws and real punishments for animal abusers in general, and more effective control over internet platforms distributing such materials, the organizers said.

/NF/

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By 01:21 on 18.03.2025 Today`s news

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