# Animal cruelty incidents in Bulgaria

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/animal-cruelty-incidents-in-bulgaria
> Updated: 2026-11-04T10:20:44.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 3.

Legal and criminal developments regarding animal cruelty have been reported in Bulgaria. In Svishtov, the District Court sentenced Anita Vachkova and Detelin Avramov to prison terms of two years and two years and four months, respectively, for systemic cruelty and the online distribution of torture videos between 2013 and 2024.

In Sofia, the 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. Investigators state that on November 1, 2024, the accused delivered a powerful kick to the 3-kilogram dog, causing it to strike a parked vehicle and die on the spot. The incident reportedly began after a dispute regarding whether dogs could be walked in the area. Following the attack, Atanasov allegedly engaged in a physical altercation with the pet's owner.

Atanasov, who had been hiding from authorities, surrendered to the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs accompanied by a lawyer. The Sofia Regional Court has since placed him under permanent arrest, citing the brutality of the act and the defendant's demonstrated aggression. While prosecutors initially sought detention based on flight risk, the court's decision follows reports that the suspect had previously attacked other pets and harassed neighbors. Atanasov faces potential prison sentences of two to eight years under Article 325b of the Penal Code. The case has sparked widespread public outrage and protests by hundreds of citizens. Legal advocates are calling to strengthen the charges by noting the act was committed in a public place.

## Timeline

### 2026-11-04: Sofia man detained after fatal attack on dog

A Sofia court has ordered the permanent arrest of Yordan Atanasov, accused of killing a Yorkshire Terrier with a kick, following widespread public protests.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sofia-man-detained-after-fatal-attack-on-dog

### 2026-11-02: Sofia prosecutor charges man for killing dog in Krastova Vada

A 43-year-old man, Yordan Atanasov, has been charged with extreme cruelty after fatally kicking a Yorkshire Terrier in Sofia, sparking mass protests in the Krastova Vada neighborhood.

12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sofia-neighborhood-incident-leads-to-death-of-yorkshire-terrier

### 2026-10-20: Svishtov Court sentences pair for animal cruelty and video distribution

Anita Vachkova and Detelin Avramov received prison sentences in Bulgaria for a decade of animal torture and the sale of recorded cruelty videos online.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/svishtov-court-sentences-two-for-animal-cruelty-and-video-distribution

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Cite as: Animal cruelty incidents in Bulgaria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/animal-cruelty-incidents-in-bulgaria