Animal cruelty for views: a record sentence in Bulgaria for torture filmed and sold online, a case in France over a Snapchat video, and calls for a European plan against online cruelty

What happened

On 29 October 2026 two European news stories were a reminder that animal cruelty is increasingly moving online.

In Bulgaria, the District Court in Svishtov gave two people prison sentences for systematic animal cruelty. This was reported by the European animal welfare group Eurogroup for Animals, whose member, the Bulgarian organisation CAAI (Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry), uncovered the crimes.

In France, the 30 Millions d'Amis foundation described a Snapchat video in which a young man violently kicks an animal. The foundation reported the video to the gendarmerie, a case has been opened in the Dordogne department, and those responsible have been identified.

The case in Bulgaria

The court in Svishtov sentenced Anita Vachkova to two years in prison and Detelin Avramov to two years and four months. The sentences were handed down on 20 October 2026. The case covered 81 separate acts of animal cruelty between 2014 and May 2024. In some incidents more than 20 animals were tortured and killed at a time, so there were far more victims than documented incidents.

The abuse was filmed and distributed online for money. According to investigators, the buyers were abroad.

In addition to the prison terms, the court fined each defendant about €1,100 and ordered each of them to pay €3,001.38 towards expert costs. The sentences were handed down at first instance and can be appealed.

How the crimes were uncovered

The investigation was carried out by the Bulgarian organisation CAAI. It began after CAAI uncovered a similar case in Pernik. The organisation spent months gathering and analysing information, checking leads and documenting evidence, before filing an official report with the police. In February 2026 the suspects were arrested in a coordinated police operation.

Who CAAI are

CAAI is a Bulgarian animal welfare organisation whose name means Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry. It investigates animal cruelty in various fields and belongs to the European network Eurogroup for Animals, which brings together animal welfare organisations from EU countries. Groups like this are increasingly the "front line" in detecting online cruelty: the police often don't have the resources to monitor such videos constantly.

A record sentence and a new law

According to CAAI, two years and four months is the longest custodial sentence specifically imposed for animal cruelty in Bulgaria among the cases known to the organisation. The verdict came under the old criminal law, which set a maximum of four years for cruelty. Following amendments, the most serious offences now carry up to 12 years and much higher fines. CAAI believes that sentences must reflect the scale, duration and extreme cruelty of such crimes.

The Snapchat video in France

In late October the 30 Millions d'Amis foundation received a report about a Snapchat video. In it, a young man kicks an animal with full force, like a footballer striking a ball, sending it flying. The animal is then seen running away crying out. The video quality is poor and the species can't be determined with certainty, but it appears to be a dog.

The foundation immediately alerted the gendarmerie, a case was opened in Dordogne and those responsible were identified. If the case comes to trial, the foundation will act as a civil party.

At the hearing, we will speak for this animal, which cannot defend itself. We hope for an exemplary conviction, so that the justice system sends a strong signal: cruelty to an animal is neither a game nor a trivial act, but an offence punishable by law.

Caroline Lanty, lawyer for the 30 Millions d'Amis foundation

Why cruelty is moving online

Social networks and video-sharing platforms have given animal cruelty a new life: such videos attract views, get forwarded and sometimes, as in Bulgaria, make money. Animal welfare groups call this a problem in its own right: the crime takes place in one country, viewers and buyers are in others, and a single national police force struggles to deal with it.

What Eurogroup for Animals proposes

Given the cross-border nature of such crimes, Eurogroup for Animals is calling on the European Union to adopt a coordinated action plan against online animal cruelty. In its view, this should include:

• stronger enforcement and cooperation between police in different countries;
• platform accountability for spreading this content;
• easy ways to report cruel videos;
• technology that helps find such videos;
• public awareness that this is a crime.

What to do if you see such a video

1. Don't forward or share the video: even with an outraged comment, this spreads it further.
2. Save the link, account name, date and time: this will help the police.
3. Report the video on the social network itself using the report button.
4. Tell the police and the RSPCA, Scottish SPCA or USPCA: many organisations take reports online.
5. If you recognise the place or the people, tell the police rather than posting it online.

How animal welfare groups investigate

The Bulgarian case shows how modern animal welfare investigations work. Organisations like CAAI spend months tracking videos online, comparing filming locations, voices, details of the surroundings, accounts and sales routes. They then document the evidence so that it can be passed to the police and used in court. Without this groundwork it's often hard for the police to open a case: videos are posted anonymously on foreign platforms and quickly disappear.

Why speed matters

In the French case, the video from Snapchat, a network where messages disappear by default, was saved in time and passed to the gendarmerie. This made it possible to identify those responsible quickly. The sooner the police and animal welfare groups learn of a video, the better the chances of finding the culprits and saving the animal if it's still alive.

How to report a video on social media

Almost all major platforms have a separate report category for animal cruelty or violence. Tap the three dots or the flag next to the post, select "violence" or "animal abuse" and submit the report. If the video was sent to you in a private message, report the message and the sender's account. Don't delete the conversation until you've saved the link and a screenshot, as the police may need them. If the platform doesn't respond, tell the police and an animal welfare organisation: they're better placed to get it removed and find the author.

How to talk to children about it

Children and teenagers often come across cruel animal videos on social media. Psychologists advise against pretending nothing has happened: ask what your child saw, explain that this is a crime and that it hurts animals, and show them how to report a video. It's important for your child to know they can tell an adult about this kind of content and won't be punished for having seen it.

How different countries punish it

In most European countries animal cruelty is a criminal offence, but sentences and practice vary widely. After its amendments, Bulgaria raised the maximum penalty to 12 years. In France cruelty is also a criminal offence, and laws have been toughened in recent years. In practice, though, courts often stop at fines and suspended sentences, which is why animal welfare groups follow every high-profile case.

Why these verdicts matter

Vets and psychologists have long pointed to the link between animal cruelty and violence against people. So high-profile verdicts and investigations aren't only important for protecting animals: they show society that such acts won't go unpunished. The prison sentence in Bulgaria and the rapid identification of those behind the video in France are signals of exactly this kind.

What pet owners should know

Most owners will never come across anything like this. But if you notice that a neighbour's animal is constantly injured, emaciated or frightened, that's a reason to contact the RSPCA, Scottish SPCA, USPCA or your council's animal welfare team. If your own pet has been hurt by someone's actions, take it to a vet right away and keep the vet's report and photos of the injuries, as you'll need them for your police report.

What happens next

The Bulgarian verdicts can be appealed, and the French case hasn't yet reached court. Eurogroup for Animals will keep pressing the European Commission for a plan against online cruelty. This is likely to be discussed alongside other EU animal welfare initiatives.