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.

• Protests against animal abuse continue in Bulgaria

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!