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BAPF proposed crucial amendments to the Bulgaria's Animal Protection Act
29th September, 2015 — Briefly after opening its autumn session, Bulgarian Parliament started a procedure of discussing amendments to the Animal Protection Act. Although there is a bill proposed by the cabinet, it just provides a few articles that would allow the executive to write its own regulation under the bombastic headline "A National Programme for mastery over stray dog population in Bulgaria." On 25th September, 2015, BAPF approached National Assembly to insist on proposing, discussing and passing substantial amendments to the Animal Protection Act such as follows: (1) Providing qualified dog warden services to be appointed with the municipalities instead of dog catchers currently attached to local dog pounds (2) Straight requirement for every shelter manager to submit annual reports on animal intake and disposition numbers (3) Obligation for agriculture minister to annually publish collected data on animal shelter intake and disposition (4) Revoking so called "temporary dog pounds" that "shall be located outside settlements" Full text of the document >> A partial success for Bulgarian animals, the trial continues
June 2015 — Brand new amendments to the Animal Protection Act were submitted to the Legislature. In January 2015, the cabinet issued a set of striking revisions to both Veterinary Practices Act and Animal Protection Act that would threaten current welfare status of Bulgarian companion animals. Bulgarian Animal Programs Foundation immediately opposed this trend by addressing Minister of Agriculture, publishing a petition and starting collection of signatures worldwide. Recently, government revoked all own striking revisions to the law. Roaming cat population shall not be a subject of a mandatory collection and questionable disposition through the animal shelter system as it affects the dogs. Entire cat population shall not be affected by shady schemes for microchipping and vaccination. And animal welfare advocates will not be excluded from compliance checks. However, we continue to be witnesses of an Bulgarian-style animal control that is out of control. We therefore urge National Assembly for all additional amendments as stated before agriculture minister early 2015. Warning letter to Agriculture Minister Prof. Stankov
April 2013 — "We have already undertaken a revision of the Government's Ordinance № 41/2008 on pet animals handling facilities requirements and it will be ready soon...[more] Animal Programs calls for a legislative intervention to Bulgaria's pet overpopulation crisis
April 2012 — BAPF has made an urgent assessment of the authorities’ plans to deal with dog overpopulation forced by most recent fatal dog attack occurring in Sofia. After careful review of previous and most recent intentions stated by officials, BAPF found that planned and already existing stray dog control practices are not intended to address the pet over-reproduction...[more] Avoid hiking in Bulgaria because of disregard for animal welfare
July 2015 — Bulgarian cabinet continues to pour millions to advertise country as an worth touristic destination. A total of 7.5 million Leva (about 3.8 M Euro) are intended to be drained from state budget this year only to promote country as an "attractive tourist destination with rich history and architecture, SPA resorts and beautiful nature". Bulgarian Animal Programs Foundation is opposed to this hypocrite campaign and calls people from around the world to stay away Bulgaria. Illegal pound seizure and pet theft are likely the main goals of the animal control across the country. We consider Bulgarian government as an unique European pattern of national authority hostile for cats and dogs, the voiceless human's friends. Acting on behalf of the animal shelter system and its shady contractors, local politics did nothing to solve the pet overpopulation problem. Bulgaria formally agreed in 2004 to the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals. Eleven years after, we are witnessing the government's outrageous disregard for key Convention's provisions. Bulgarian nation remains with no humane education programmes, in violation of Article 14. Remote places still remain with no provided spay/neuter services, in violation of Article 12. And organized activities such as collecting strays and pet trade remain totally uncontrolled, in violation of Article 8. So general public stay misled about the overpopulation issue and pet lovers continue to give kittens and puppies relying on "good homes available". BAPF urges people who are concerned about the inhumane treatment of pet animals to avoid Bulgaria as a tourist destination. |
Inconsistency in the Sofia Animal Control records raises worries about the types of discharge
According to media quotes, the Sofia Animal Control Director, Manol Nejkov, recently announced the number of city's street dogs - 6635 strays... [more] Walkovers for animal control services as animal welfare collapses
A historical perspective behind all "controversies" between Bulgaria's infamous players in the animal welfare field - both competent authorities and quasi-autonomous non-governmental organizations involved in animal control operations... [more] Europe's biggest-ever animal control scam deserves international reproach
Sofia City Council recently approved 2.6 million in annual funding for Ecoravnovesie, the infamous Municipal animal control unit. In the past couple of decades, Bulgarian authorities are maintaining illegal schemes based on the pet population dynamics...[more] Unknown number of Bulgarian dogs fall victim in military's chemical-weapons tests
The access to information on what happens to tens of thousands of impounded animals in Bulgaria is failing due to corruption and dirty interests obsessing Bulgarian authorities. "Other animals such as dogs, rats or guinea pigs, are used in military experiments, particularly in the testing of chemical warfare agents"...[more] 
Whose interests does serve the Mayor Fandykova's ''alliance for animals''?
Ecoravnovesie, the infamous Sofia municipal animal control enterprise, released 2967 neutered stray dogs in the first six months of 2013, as its director Manol Nejkov told media... [more] 
Unwanted dogs living in a central bus station in Sofia. In fact, so called "street" animals flooding the cities since 1990 are coming from the uncontrolled owned dog population.
Photo: Focus News Agency |
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