The death of animals at an Aksai shelter has resulted in a criminal case.

The owner of a private shelter in Aksay has become a suspect in a criminal case involving animal cruelty and death. Investigators have questioned volunteers, animal rights activists, and local residents.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," on December 23, police reported that the owner of an Aksay animal shelter had been detained on suspicion of animal cruelty. After questioning, the woman was released, but then a fire broke out in the shelter building, and the owner was arrested again.

Police in the Aksaysky District have opened a criminal case for animal cruelty at a private shelter, the Rostov Region Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported today.

She admitted that she had recently been inappropriate in her work.

"As part of the pre-investigation check, the shelter owner was interviewed, and she admitted that she had recently been inappropriate in her work. Volunteers, animal rights activists, and residents of the area adjacent to the shelter were interviewed during the investigation. Research is planned to determine the cause of the animals' deaths," the department's Telegram channel stated.

The case is under investigation. Under paragraphs "a" and "d" of Part 2 of Article 245 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Cruelty to animals for mercenary motives, resulting in the death or injury of several animals"), the report notes.

As a reminder, volunteers told the "Caucasian Knot" on December 23 that it is difficult to estimate the number of dead and surviving animals at the shelter. "The survivors scattered throughout the gardening community, some frightened and wild. They were across a ditch that couldn't be crossed, a very steep climb, plus it was slippery, and it was drizzling. Some were wandering around the plots, some were right in the houses among the corpses. Off the top of my head, I personally saw about 20 live dogs yesterday, three of which I managed to catch. I took them out and placed them in a paid foster home. After I get them in order, we'll look for a home for them," said activist Alena from the "Four-legged Soul" community.

A criminal case could be opened under Part 2 of Article 245 of the Russian Criminal Code, but the shelter's unofficial status could become grounds for another article - Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code, "Fraud," animal rights lawyer Oksana Kotorva told the "Caucasian Knot" on December 23.

"If the owner collected donations under the guise of keeping "The act of taking the shelter's property but not actually providing the animals with proper care constitutes fraudulent theft. Taken together, this could result in a prison sentence of 3 to 7 years," she said.