Sofia prosecutor charges man for killing dog in Krastova Vada

The Sofia District Prosecutor's Office has charged 43-year-old Yordan Atanasov with extreme cruelty following the death of a Yorkshire Terrier named Knopa in the Krastova Vada neighborhood. According to investigators, the incident occurred on November 1, 2024, when the accused delivered a powerful kick to the 3-kilogram dog, causing it to strike a parked vehicle and die on the spot.

Atanasov, who had been hiding from authorities, surrendered to the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs accompanied by a lawyer. He faces potential prison sentences ranging from 2 to 8 years under Article 325b of the Penal Code. Prosecutors are seeking a measure of continuous detention.

The killing sparked widespread public outrage, leading to multiple protests by hundreds of citizens in the neighborhood. Local residents and animal rights activists have raised concerns regarding the suspect's history of aggression, with reports that he had previously attacked other pets and harassed neighbors in the area.