A CRIMINAL CASE OVER HOMELESS DOGS ATTAKS WAS INITIATED IN RUSSIA FOR THE FIRST TIME

The Investigative Committee for the Krasnoyarsk Territory and the Republic of Khakassia has completed an investigation into the case of the former head of the Krasnoyarsk Municipal Unitary Enterprise "Department of Roads, Infrastructure and Improvement" Yevgeny Petryuk. He is accused of criminal negligence due to numerous attacks by stray dogs on people.

Investigators believe that Petryuk inadequately performed his official duties from October 2019 to February 2020. The trapping of homless dogs was not organized properly, which led to human casualties. As a result, a criminal case was initiated against the ex-head of the institution under Part 3 of Art. 293 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (negligence leading to the death of two or more persons).

4 Krasnoyarsk residents died because of the attacks of dogs, and two more (including a child) got moderately severe injuries.

The department noted that during the specified period of time, the number of stray dogs began to grow uncontrollably in the city, and cases of attacks on people became more frequent. As a result, in February 2020, an emergency regime of "biological and social nature" was introduced in some regions of Krasnoyarsk.

Krasnoyarsk has been suffering from uncontrolled flocks of stray dogs for several years. Animals often attack citizens, and sometimes with fatal outcomes. Animal rights activists report that the only way to deal with the situation is to trap the dogs, neuter them and then return to the streets. It is assumed that after the procedure, the animals lose their aggression.

It is worth noting that this is the first time a criminal case is initiated on the death of people due to dog attacks. In the nearest future, the court will consider the case on its merits.