The words of the mayor of Tbilisi about animal rights activists resulted in a complaint to the prosecutor's office.
Activist Lasha Chkhartishvili complained to the prosecutor's office about the mayor of Tbilisi, Kaha Kaladze, who stated that it is necessary to "take and euthanize" animal rights activists protesting against the killing of stray dogs.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 31, it became known that Georgian animal rights activists appealed to the prosecutor's office demanding an investigation into the circumstances of possible illegal euthanasia of dogs and burial of their remains at a cemetery on the outskirts of Tbilisi. The reason for the appeal was the announcement of a journalistic investigation on the Pirveli TV channel. In the footage released, activists believe it shows how the remains of dogs are buried at night. The authors of the appeal called for comparing the investigation data with reports from owners about the disappearance of animals.
The Tbilisi mayor's office responded to the situation, stating that the Animal Monitoring Agency is not involved in the destruction of animals, and the burial site is intended for the remains of dogs that died as a result of traffic accidents, accidents, and natural causes. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported on November 1 that an investigation has begun in connection with the circulated footage of animal burials. The investigation was initiated under Article 259 of the Criminal Code (torture of animals, cruel treatment of them, or other forms of violence).
Chkhartishvili demanded a response from the prosecutor's office to the mayor's words
Animal rights activist Lasha Chkhartishvili filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office of Georgia against the mayor of Tbilisi, the secretary general of the "Georgian Dream" Kaha Kaladze. He demands an investigation into Kaladze's words, who on November 3 stated that it is necessary to "take away and euthanize" 5-6 participants of the protests caused by the death of stray dogs. This expression is usually used when talking about the euthanasia of animals, JAMnews explained on November 4.
Chkhartishvili considered the statement a threat to activists and asked to check whether they pose a threat to life, incitement to violence, and interference in the investigation of animal cruelty.
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended Kaladze, stating that the mayor spoke "in a figurative sense," the publication writes.
Kaladze questioned the mental health of some animal rights activists
Earlier, Kaha Kaladze commented on the scandal surrounding the alleged dog burial site on the outskirts of the capital and spoke about the activists who discovered the burial and tried to check the condition of the dogs in the municipal shelter.
The mayor called animal rights defenders "people with unhealthy minds," reported the Sova project on November 3.
"Can those few people who were there be allowed anywhere, not to mention the Animal Monitoring Agency? I'm not talking about everyone, but five or six people need to be taken away and euthanized today, in such a state they are," the words of the mayor of Tbilisi are quoted in the publication.
On April 4, animal rights activists at a rally outside the Tbilisi administration demanded changes to the stray animal population management program and to return sterilized animals to their habitat. According to them, many dogs taken to municipal shelters simply disappeared.
Animal cruelty has repeatedly sparked protests
On November 1, representatives of animal rights organizations held a protest outside the government building of Georgia. They opposed inhumane treatment of stray dogs and demanded punishment for the alleged offenders. Lasha Chkhartishvili also participated in the protest.
Residents of Georgia have repeatedly protested against animal cruelty. For example, on June 19, 2023, protests took place in several cities across the country, where participants demanded punishment for those who kill stray animals. Additionally, protesters called for tougher criminal penalties for animal cruelty. The protests were sparked by news of the killing of a stray dog in Tsalka.
In January 2023, animal rights activists at a rally in Batumi drew attention to the problem of cruelty towards stray animals. About 100 people participated in the action. The reason for the protest was the killing of a stray dog.
In April 2017, about 20 people at a rally in front of the Georgian parliament demanded amendments to the Criminal Code regarding animal cruelty and the adoption of a bill "On the Status of Companion Animals.".