Serhiy Palokhin Found Guilty
Serhiy Palokhin, the head of the 'ZOO Zakhyst' animal protection organization, has been convicted of animal cruelty. The court initially sentenced him to five years in prison, but this was commuted to a one-year probationary term. Palokhin was charged with the illegal keeping of wild animals, including two lionesses that escaped from their enclosures on November 15, 2025. Their subsequent attack resulted in the deaths of:
- six goats
- three falcons
- two rams
- a deer
- an alpaca
- a cat
Conditions for Keeping Wild Animals
The escaped lionesses roamed the territory of Khmelnytskyi for a period of time. Since 2018, Palokhin had been renting non-residential premises to keep and exhibit wild animals for money. The investigation determined that the lionesses were held in unsuitable enclosures. After reaching a plea agreement with the prosecutor in mid-January 2026, the court ordered the confiscation of the two lionesses from the defendant.
Additionally, a fox, a badger, and a raccoon dog were transferred to the 'Rescue of Wild Animals' charity fund. Palokhin is also required to pay 2,200 hryvnias for expert expenses. The case was tried under Part 3 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. This incident highlights ongoing concerns in Ukraine about the private ownership of dangerous exotic animals.
Animals killed: 6 goats, 3 falcons, 2 rams, a deer, an alpaca, a cat. Animals confiscated: two lionesses. Animals transferred to the fund: a fox, a badger, a raccoon dog. According to Palokhin's own statement, 'unknown persons broke the locks on the enclosure at night.' On November 21, both lionesses were transferred to a rehabilitation center in Kyiv.
This case underscores the critical need for oversight in keeping wild animals, as improper conditions can lead not only to animal deaths but also pose a threat to people.
The situation surrounding Palokhin has sparked significant public debate and opened discussions on the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity. It is crucial that such incidents are not repeated and that legislation in this area becomes stricter and more effective.