Prosecutors have charged a woman with cruelty to animals after she allegedly killed her pet dog for pooping on the floor by chucking it off a balcony.
Maria Delairet, 37, reportedly flew into a fury after she came home in early March to find her pet dog Ava had soiled the floor of her Moscow apartment, a statement released Wednesday by the city's prosecutor's office said.
The woman is said to have grabbed the dog and thrown it off a fourth-floor balcony, with full "awareness of the cruel and sadistic nature of her actions," the statement said, adding other inhabitants of the building had witnessed the incident.
News portal Newsru.com identified Delairet as a known poet and artist.
Delairet was released from police detention pending her trial and has been ordered to stay in Moscow, the statement said.
If convicted, she could face up to six months in prison.
Russia rarely prosecutes people under its laws against cruelty to animals, except in a handful of cases involving intentional killings.
See Also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.