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

Sunny start, afternoon showers expected

The night will be mostly clear and calm, although scattered rain clouds may appear over south-western Bulgaria before midnight , bringing occasional showers. Overnight lows will range from 5°C to 10°C, around 5°C in Sofia.  Sunday will start mostly..

published on 5/10/25 7:05 PM

The BSP will not support the referendum on the euro either

The BSP - United Left announced that it will not support President Rumen Radev's proposal to hold a referendum on the introduction of the euro. In a joint statement, the united Left said that a referendum on joining the eurozone or setting specific..

published on 5/10/25 5:34 PM

Sofia hosts the 20th International Conference of the Bulgarian Association of Surgeons

The 20th International Conference of the Bulgarian Association of Surgeons, Gastroenterologists and Oncologists (BASGO) brought together leading specialists in surgical oncology and gastroenterology in Sofia.  The forum was also attended by..

published on 5/10/25 5:15 PM