Volunteers who defend the rights of animals on October 4 picketed the building of the Ministry of Justice, demanding that Minister Vladimir Cebotari should tender his resignation. The demonstration was staged in connection with the World Animal Day. The participants reminded about a petition sent to the Ministry of Justice two years ago, whereby the signatories requested to introduce punishment for cruelty towards animals, but this wasn’t done, IPN reports.

Dana Popa, a member of the public association “Human Society”, said the authorities accepted only the idea of criminally punishing the murder of animals. “All the other cases when the animals are mutilated and mistreated are not considered acts of cruelty and are not penalized. This is inadmissible,” stated the activist.

The young woman said the persons who have a cruel attitude to animals in time become cruel to people too. “We can expect anything in our society if cruelty towards animals remains unpunished. We came here to represent those who cannot speak and suffer in silence. Animals suffer as the people do,” stated Dana Popa.

Resident of Chisinau Maria Ciocanu came to the protest to condemn cruelty to animals. “We have rich flora and fauna, but we, the people, destroy everything that surrounds us. Mister Chirtoaca (suspended mayor of Chisinau, e.n.) often spoke about a plot that was to be allocated for building an animal shelter on it. They should offer us this land because there are people who love animals and who would help to erect the shelter or would bring food,” she stated.

In a commentary for the press, the Ministry of Justice reminds that the bill to amend and supplement the Penal Code is being examined and can be consulted at justice.gov.md. The bill suggests instituting punishment for killing pets depending on the circumstances of the act and aggravating forms, either as a fine or as jail term.