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

Public debate opens on tougher animal cruelty penalties after shocking Pernik case

They cannot speak. But you can!
Photo: BTA

Proposals for tougher penalties for animal cruelty have been published for public debate until 4 April this year, after which changes will be made to the Penal Code. This follows a case of extreme animal cruelty by a young woman from Pernik and her male accomplice. The woman tortured and murdered hundreds of small animals, while the man filmed the atrocities in order to sell the videos to fetishist clients outside the country.


The new proposal provides for 2 to 8 years' imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 to 5,000 euros if the act is committed by a person who carries out an activity related to the breeding or care of animals in a particularly cruel manner. According to the public prosecutor's office, only nine people have been jailed for animal cruelty between 2019 and 2024.

Meanwhile, in an open letter to the institutions, more than 160 civil society organisations have called for immediate and effective action against the growing cases of violence against animals. They propose the creation of a Public Advisory Council for Animal Protection under the Council of Ministers and a standing committee in the National Assembly. Protests against animal abuse continue under the banner "Stand up, don't look away! Today an animal - tomorrow a human being!




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

President Rumen Radev vetoes SANS Act

President Rumen Radev has returned for new discussion in the National Assembly the amendments to the State Agency for National Security (SANS) Act, adopted on October 2 this year, which assign the power to appoint or dismiss the chairman of the agency..

published on 10/14/25 6:42 PM

Wednesday will be cloudy with occasional sunny spells and brief showers in the east

On Wednesday, the lowest temperatures will range between 6°C and 11°C, around 7°C in Sofia. Cloud cover will remain significant over most of the country, with rain showers in parts of Eastern Bulgaria and the mountains, more intense in the Rhodope..

published on 10/14/25 6:40 PM

IMF predicts growth of Bulgarian economy

In its new World Economic Outlook report, the IMF has raised its forecasts for Bulgarian economic growth this year and next, compared to its estimates from April. At the same time, IMF expects increase in inflation, as well as a decrease in the..

published on 10/14/25 6:20 PM