More than 50 livestock breeders in Karlovo region have risen up in rebellion. Their main demand is for stricter punishments for the perpetrators of attacks on farm animals, who, according to them, have gone unpunished for years, BNT reported.
According to the protesters, the authorities have not taken the necessary measures. On Thursday, while the court in Plovdiv was to rule on the case regarding the measure of two suspects for the latest animal thefts, the farmers gathered in protest in front of the court.
Discontent is brewing after yet another theft. Apaches stole seven calves from Adrian Petkov's farm in the village of Karavelovo. His security cameras even managed to capture the moment of the attack. He provided the video to the police. The suspects were detained, and then - released. “The value of the animals is around 7000-8000 leva, but these calves are participating in the “Young Farmer” and “Humane Treatment” programs, which makes their price drastically higher”, explained the victim of the attack.
According to other farmers, there are corrupt Karlovy Vary police officers who cover up the crimes of repeat offenders. According to them, the stolen animals are slaughtered in illegal slaughterhouses that the authorities know about.
The victims threatened to take justice into their own hands, since the state is powerless against the attacks.