Violence against animals in Bulgaria

8.4.2013

Question for written answer E-003876-13
to the Commission
Rule 117
Monika Flašíková Beňová (S&D)

Bulgaria has recently seen a wave of public outrage, after a dog was attacked with a baseball bat in public. The police were seemingly not even interested in punishing the offender. It is also quite shocking that Bulgaria, a Member State of the European Union, is unwilling in the 21st century to punish crimes committed against animals, even though it has an animal welfare law that prohibits the inhumane treatment of animals.

Can the Commission help to remedy the situation in Bulgaria with regard to this issue? What can be done to effectively prevent the repetition of such appalling and cruel acts?

OJ C 19 E, 22/01/2014