We Demand a Real Animal Police Force in Bulgaria

To: The National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ministry of Interior, Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, and the European Commission

We, the citizens of the Republic of Bulgaria, express our deep concern regarding the persistent inaction of Bulgarian institutions in investigating crimes against animals.

Despite the existence of so-called "animal police units," there is a lack of real enforcement, investigations fail, and perpetrators of cruelty to animals often remain unpunished.

We demand the following:

1. The establishment of an independent national "Animal Police" unit with a separate budget, clear legal authority, and public accountability;

2. Specialized training for law enforcement officers, in collaboration with NGOs and veterinary professionals;

3. A public online platform for reporting and tracking animal abuse cases;

4. Effective enforcement of Article 325a of the Bulgarian Criminal Code and the Animal Protection Act;

5. A transparent reporting mechanism on investigations, penalties, and enforcement efficiency;

According to Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), animals are sentient beings and must be protected accordingly. Bulgaria has a legal and moral obligation to fulfill this principle.

Sign and share this petition—let’s give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.

Dimityr Marinov    Contact the author of the petition