Petition against animal exploitation gathered more than 5,000 signatures

Public petition against the use of animals in organised begging has exceeded the threshold required for further consideration. In the first 18 days, the initiative was supported by almost 5,900 people. The document will remain open for signatures for another 24 days, after which all votes will be officially verified.

The author of the petition emphasises that his initiative is not directed against homeless people who keep dogs. According to him, it concerns so-called organised criminal networks that use animals — most often dogs, but sometimes rabbits and others — to elicit sympathy and obtain donations on the streets.

Despite numerous reports of such cases, the applicant claims that concrete measures remain rare. In this regard, he proposes revising the legal framework to strengthen the protection of animals in situations involving organised begging. He also advocates launching a constructive dialogue between the authorities and relevant organisations to develop solutions.