Dog Thrown from Sixth Floor in Kyiv Prompts Criminal Investigation

Animal Cruelty in Ukraine: A Growing Concern

According to Главком: Authorities in Kyiv have launched a criminal case after a dog was thrown from a sixth-floor window in the Sviatoshynskyi district. The incident occurred on June 9 around 1:00 PM on Chornobylska Street, where a Bichon breed dog was thrown from the window. The animal died on the spot from its injuries. Investigators from the Sviatoshynskyi police department have entered the case into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations under Article 299, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which carries a penalty of up to eight years in prison.

Witnesses reported that a man threw his own dog out of the window. Bystanders were present at the scene, and police were called to investigate. This case is not isolated in the country. In the first five months of 2025, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine recorded a record 386 criminal proceedings under Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine-nearly 3.7 times more than during the same period last year. While charges have been brought in 80% of these cases, only 4% have actually reached trial.

Other Cases of Animal Cruelty

Separately, in Pavlohrad, police also opened a criminal case for animal cruelty after a minor girl was seen strangling a cat. Reports indicate that this girl had previously come to the attention of law enforcement. These incidents highlight the persistent problem of animal cruelty in Ukraine, with authorities increasingly taking action against such offenses.

This event underscores growing public alarm over animal cruelty, which is becoming more widespread. The sharp rise in criminal proceedings under Article 299 of the Criminal Code suggests that law enforcement is attempting to respond to these crimes, though with limited success in bringing cases to court. Such cases draw attention not only to animal protection issues but also to the need for stronger legal safeguards in the country.

The alarming trend of animal cruelty in Ukraine continues, as evidenced by a recent case in Khmelnytskyi Region where a dog was confiscated after attacking a goat. Such incidents not only highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of animal protection laws but also reflect a growing societal concern regarding the treatment of animals. To learn more about this troubling situation, read about the court's decision on the dog confiscation.