Kristian Vigenin insisted on new measures from the European Commission over the case of cruelty to animals in Pernik

The head of the Delegation of the Bulgarian Socialists in the European Parliament Kristian Vigenin insisted on urgent action from the European Commission on cases of cruelty to animals. During the hearing of the Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Oliver Varhelyi in the Public Health Committee (SANT) of the European Parliament, he raised the question of the need for new measures at European level in connection with the shocking case of cruelty to animals that has appalled Bulgaria in recent days.

The Bulgarian MEP informed Commissioner Varhelyi about the exposure of a network engaged in producing and distributing video clips in which animals are subjected to brutal violence for commercial purposes. These videos are sold to international buyers through social platforms, which shows the cross-border nature of the crime.

„This case not only shocked society, but also raises serious questions about the ability of national and European institutions to counter such crimes. We must ensure stricter penalties and effective cross-border coordination so that we do not allow such practices in future“, Kristian Vigenin stressed.

The MEP proposed concrete steps for dealing with the problem: „Stronger cooperation at European level is needed, together with the harmonisation of legislation and tougher penalties for crimes involving violence against animals. International cooperation for investigating and prosecuting such crimes must be stepped up“.

Commissioner Varhelyi described the information as an „extremely worrying criminal case“, requested additional data and undertook to take immediate action in consultation with the Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner.