This is reported by espreso.tv

"We ask the Cabinet of Ministers to instruct the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine to create a zoo police unit within the structure of the National Police of Ukraine and develop a regulatory framework for its activities by approving the relevant regulations and granting the zoo police with appropriate powers," the petition, which was submitted on March 6, reads.

The author of the petition is the president of the Association of Animal Protection Organizations of Ukraine, Maryna Surkova. She emphasizes that new cases of animal cruelty occur from year to year, and the police in most cases "do not have a sufficient level of knowledge" or simply do not act "because they do not consider animals worthy of their attention".

Surkova believes that representatives of the National Police often do not respond to cases of animal cruelty at all, do not know the legal norms of animal treatment, and cannot distinguish between administrative and criminal offenses. And sometimes they simply do not respond to calls.

According to the author of the petition, such a unit could draw up administrative reports on animal cruelty, open criminal proceedings under the relevant article and conduct pre-trial investigations, temporarily seize animals, and monitor animal owners' compliance with the rules of their keeping.

The petition gained the required 25 thousand votes in less than two days. Now it will be considered by the government.

• In 2019, marches in defense of animals were held in 24 cities of Ukraine. Thousands of animal rights activists and those who are simply not indifferent demanded the creation of a zoo police. However, at that time, the authorities noted that the possibility of creating an animal police is not provided for by the law of Ukraine and requires regulation by legal acts.