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

Temperatures will drop noticeably toward the end of the week

Over the next 24 hours, cloud cover will be mostly significant. There will be rain showers in some areas of Western Bulgaria and the far southeastern regions. A light to moderate wind will blow during the night. On Friday, there will be..

published on 9/25/25 6:40 PM

Protesters gather outside DPS-New Beginning HQ to support Varna Mayor

Citizens gathered outside the Sofia headquarters of DPS-New Beginning to protest in support of the detained mayor of Varna, Blagomir Kotsev. Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev remains in custody; MEPs call for sanctions against Bulgaria Organised by..

published on 9/25/25 5:04 PM

Bulgarian student praises academic and cultural exchange in Egypt

Marina Gugusheva, who studies medicine at Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, is spending a month at Zagazig University under an international exchange organised by the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA). During..

published on 9/25/25 4:34 PM