Animal rights defenders criticize police for opening fire at a cow in Makhachkala

Makhachkala policemen who opened fire at a cow from firearms in the middle of a busy street showed an example of cruel treatment of animals, states the regional animal protection centre "Zoolife".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 31, in Nasrutdinov Avenue in Makhachkala, policemen had to use firearms when they tried to kill a cow behaving aggressively.

Olga Vyatkina, the leader of the regional animal protection centre "Zoolife", treats opening fire at a cow in the middle of a busy street as an example of cruel treatment of animals.

"In the light of the February events, such attitude towards animals has become a regular thing, and many people consider that to be a norm in the order of things, and only some people speak against that cruelty. However, it should not be so, it is an example of cruelty," Olga Vyatkina told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Meanwhile, Dagestani advocate Rinat Gamidov believes the actions of a policeman can be justified in case if the animal was a real threat to people's lives.

"The law allows using firearms to neutralize an animal that threatens lives and health of citizens and (or) a police officer (Paragraph 2, Part 3, Article 23 of the Law 'On the Police')," Rinat Gamidov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.