Police announced the detention of seven men from Romania and one man from the Republic of Moldova for cruelty to dogs. These organized illegal dogfights on the outskirts of Nisporeni town as a result of which five dogs were mutilated. To annihilate the criminal activity involving 40 participants and spectators from Moldova, Bulgaria and Romania, the Moldovan authorities constituted a joint investigation team with the authorities of the neighboring state, under the aegis of Eurojust, IPN reports.

The police officers intervened accompanied by veterinarians, who provided medical assistance on the spot and took for care five dogs that suffered various injuries in illegal fights.

The dogs are of Central Asian breeds, such as Volcodav and Kangal. Their owners registered for participation in illegal dogfighting championships for a fee of €100.

Simultaneously with the investigative measures in Moldova, more than 20 searches were conducted within the joint investigation team in Romania – in Gorj, Dolj, Mehedinti, Hunedoara, Timis and Arges counties – to identify all participants.

According to the General Police Inspectorate, dogfights in Moldova are carried out in the absence of an animal protection law and the harshness of punishment for such an activity is lesser therefore. Under the Contravention Code, individuals face a fine ranging from 3,000 to 60,000 lei. According to the Criminal Code, cruelty to animals or torture that causes mutilation or death is punishable by a fine ranging from 37,500 to 67,500 lei, 180 to 240 hours of community service or one two three years’ imprisonment.