Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Citizens demand fair punishment for man who tortured a street dog

Photo: BGNES

The court has permanently remanded in custody 37-year-old Zahari Shulev, accused of torturing a street dog. The court's decision was applauded by dozens of animal advocates who gathered at the courthouse an hour before the hearing. The judges reasoned their decision on the grounds that Shulev could be violent to another animal while at liberty

The man was detained after Animal Rescue Bulgaria, an animal protection NGO, posted on social media a security camera footage showing the man coaxing a dog with food and taking it with him. Hours later, he returns it with broken bones and slash wounds. The organisation posted the video after law enforcement authorities failed to respond to its tip-off for two weeks. Neighbors say this is not an isolated case for Shulev.

The ordeal of the street dog Mecho (Bear) in Sofia's Karpuzitsa neighborhood sparked a public outrage and a series of protests. According to the protesters, the law enforcement authorities do not pay attention to violence against animals, although according to Bulgarian legislation it is considered a crime, and this aggression can be transferred to humans.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Dead calm waters along Black Sea coast, sunbathers should be cautious

In recent days, there have been several fatal incidents of tourists drowning on the Southern Black Sea coast, reports BNT.  The strong northeast wind and dead current pose risks to life, especially for inattentive tourists.  On most..

published on 8/14/25 11:33 AM

Podkrepa trade union warns of a growing budget deficit

The growing risk of a high deficit ahead of the current and next budget requires timely, wise and sustainable decisions that should not lead to impoverishment of people, but to promoting the economy , states the Podkrepa Confederation of Lbour trade..

published on 8/14/25 11:19 AM

Fire near Kardzhali Dam poses threat to nearby villages

All night long, fire brigade teams and forest officials made every effort to prevent the large forest fire that broke out yesterday in the late afternoon near the Kardzhali Dam from spreading to the nearby villages of Ridovo and Snezhinkite. The fire..

published on 8/14/25 9:47 AM