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

Slight drop in temperatures, rain showers expected on Tuesday

On Tuesday, over many areas, the cloudiness will temporarily decrease, but in the morning in places in the lowlands there will be short-term fog. Around and after noon, cumulus and cumulus-rainy clouds will develop. Mainly in Southwestern Bulgaria,..

published on 5/12/25 7:35 PM

Members of election commissions are being investigated over missing ballots

The Prosecutor's Office has initiated pre-trial proceedings against members of the Sectional and Regional Election Commissions in Stara Zagora, Kardzhali, Blagoevgrad and Sofia. During an inspection by the Constitutional Court in connection with a case..

published on 5/12/25 6:02 PM
President Rumen Radev

Bulgarian President submits to parliament the proposal for a referendum on the euro

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev submitted to the 51st National Assembly a proposal to hold a national referendum with the question "Do you agree that Bulgaria should introduce the single European currency "euro" in 2026?" The proposal is based on the..

published on 5/12/25 4:25 PM