SOFIA, March 16 (MENA) - People in Sofia held a protest against animal abuse on Sunday. The demonstration came after two persons in Pernik were arrested on charges of causing death to animals with the aim of making money.

The Regional Prosecution Office of Pernik, 28 km west of Sofia, ordered the arrest of a man and a woman for killing animals in a particularly cruel manner, the Bulgarian News Agency reported.

The torturous acts were performed on various vertebrates such as guinea pigs, rabbits, cats, dogs and albino mice, and the footage was sold to customers worldwide. The 26-year-old woman, who was the mastermind, and the 35-year-old man filmed the scenes in rooms rented by them. The authorities found a computer and a smartphone holding gigabytes of footage of atrocities committed on animals.

The demonstration in Sofia began in front of the Palace of Justice, after which the protesters marched to the National Assembly. With chants of "Reform", the people demanded that the MPs start work on legislative changes as soon as they convene on Wednesday.

The protesters expect fair and most serious punishments for the Pernik pair, stricter laws and real punishments for animal abusers in general, and more effective control over internet platforms distributing such materials, the organizers said. (MENA)

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