Regional animal rights activists are calling for tougher penalties for animal cruelty.

The initiative was launched on the ROI platform. Activists claim that "There should be no alternatives in choosing a punishment; the punishment must be significant." For example, it is necessary to increase fines for cruelty to animals, introduce payment for the treatment and rehabilitation of injured cats and dogs, seize property and impose forced labor, and prohibit the possession of weapons, entering the civil service, running for parliament, and holding any leadership positions.

"The punishment system for this crime itself needs to be changed. It needs to be made harsher and more inevitable. Moreover, responsibility should be placed not only on animal abusers, but also on the owners who lost their animals or contributed to their deaths," the initiative states. "<…> Given the inevitability of punishment <…>, over time, the situation in the country may begin to change."

The initiative was launched by animal rights activists who had previously fought against a bill to kill stray animals. The vote "equating stray dogs with socially dangerous animals requiring appropriate measures" was launched on the same ROI. 100,777 people voted for the initiative, while 63,193 voted against killing animals.

"Unfortunately, animal abusers have proven more agile and, apparently, more numerous. Now, in defiance of their initiative, a vote has been launched on a law punishing animal cruelty. Maximum publicity is needed so people can vote." — they wroteNotMoscow" activists.

Currently, 19,704 people support tougher penalties, while 7,186 vote against. Voting will continue until March 12. You can support animal rights activists here.