The case of deacon Gennady Valuța, who tied a dog to his car with a chain and pulled this along the road, will be examined by the church judiciary, the Metropolitan Church of Chisinau and all Moldova said in a press release that is quoted by IPN.

The Metropolitan Division expresses its regret at such an action and says that it is an unpleasant situation that is improper for a church official. “A cleric should not deal with such things,” it is said in the press release.

Deacon Gennady Valuța justified himself, saying he was asked to take the dog out of the town to a meat processing company situated in the vicinity as there is a field there where employees of the company feed dogs. He argued the dog posed a threat and even bit a child on his leg.

In a televised program, Gennady Valuța said the information about his acts disseminated by the press is distorted and ‘demonized’ and they should first wait for the results of the veterinary examination of the dog before condemning him. The message transmitted by the photos was actually a different one and he will sue those who distorted and disseminated the reports.

The case was condemned by animal rights defenders. By July 23, over 25,000 persons had signed an online petition whereby they demand that the deacon should be tried and banned from serving in the church.

Videos and photos of a dog tied with a chain to the car of the clergy member from Anenii Noi were published on a social networking site on July 22. These show the animal suffered injuries.