Two Dogs Shot and Killed in Dilijan

Another case of cruelty towards animals has been reported at one of the hotels in Dilijan. The "Eco Resort" hotel announced through its Facebook page: "It is sad; our common friend Kazan was shot today by a hunter in the forest, who calls himself a human being." This information was reported by EcoNews.am, an environmental news website.

According to the source, the two dogs that were killed were discovered around 6 AM in the morning, with one being a hunting dog that guarded the area, while the other was a purebred Maltese. "In the morning, the dogs always roam our territory; it happened in the area above the lake, where loggers or poachers fired shots. We didn't see who it was. We didn't hear anything; our acquaintances living nearby called us to say that your dogs are here," elaborated a staff member.

The staff member emphasized that the dogs were not only loved by the hotel staff and management but also by many guests. At the same time, the Facebook page noted:

It should be emphasized that following recent amendments to the Criminal Code of Armenia, acts of cruelty toward animals are subject to criminal liability. Article 258.2 of the Criminal Code clearly defines that: "1. Cruel treatment of animals, such as ending an animal's life through methods including strangling, hanging, dismembering, beating, shooting, poisoning, or injecting substances that lead to cruel or painful death, skinning or amputating a live animal, throwing it into fire, dropping it from heights or vehicles, organizing and conducting animal fights, as well as conducting scientific research on animals in violation of established procedures, and other cruel treatment, shall be punished by a fine of one hundred to three hundred times the minimum wage, or detention for a period of one to three months, or imprisonment for a maximum of one year. 2. The same act committed by 1) a group of persons by prior agreement, 2) with particular cruelty, 3) in the presence of a minor, 4) against two or more animals shall be punished by a fine of three hundred to five hundred times the minimum wage, or imprisonment for one to three years."

This publication serves as a report of a crime, and thus EcoNews.am calls for the attention of the Police and other law enforcement agencies of Armenia.

Note: A suspect or accused in a presumed crime is considered innocent until their guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia, through a legally binding court judgment.