ПРОГРАМИ
en de ru fr es sr gr al tr ro
Podcast in English
Share
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.
Radio Bulgaria News    Animal Rescue court dog torture Mecho sadism Sofia Zahari Shulev

More from category

Yellow code for strong wind in 16 eastern and southwestern regions

On Wednesday , the lowest temperatures will be between 3 and 8°C. In the regions with strong wind it will be up to 10-12°C. In Sofia it will be around 4°C. In the western parts of the Danube Plain and the Upper Thracian Plain it will..

published on 11/25/25 7:50 PM

Drones to aid disaster and fire response in Burgas

Following a series of fires in the Burgas area last summer, including one that destroyed homes in a local villa district, the Burgas municipality has acquired high-tech drones equipped with thermal cameras, night vision, and 3D imaging . The two..

published on 11/25/25 7:01 PM

Bulgarian police break up migrant smuggling network

Illegal migrants from Syria, Iraq and Iran have been discovered in Sofia, and ten members of an organised criminal group have been arrested , Deputy City Prosecutor Desislava Petrova told reporters. Two of those arrested have been charged as the..

published on 11/25/25 6:48 PM

WEATHER
Pick city: Sofía
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 9
Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 9
Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 9
Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 4
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 5
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 7
Partly Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 8
Cloudy
Min: 0 | Max: 6
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 7
Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 8
Partly Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 7
Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 4
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 6 | Max: 10
Cloudy
Min: -1 | Max: 6
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 3 | Max: 6
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 9
Cloudy
Min: 0 | Max: 6
Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 5
Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 5
Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 10
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 10
Cloudy
Min: 1 | Max: 9
Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 9
Cloudy
Min: 2 | Max: 6
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 4 | Max: 8
Cloudy
Min: 0 | Max: 5
Mostly Cloudy
Min: 5 | Max: 9
BULGARIA IN PICTURES
Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?
Yasen Gyuzelev
Theodore Ushev
Christo Javacheff - Christo
Ilia Peikov
Lika Yanko

BULGARIANS ABROAD

Български English Русский Deutsch Српски Français Ελληνικά Español Shqip Türkçe Română

english@bnr.bg

+359 2 9336 661

Общи условия за използване на сайта | Политика за поверителност | Политика за "бисквитки"