A case of animal cruelty has been reported in the Bereziv community, where a man shot a neighbor's dog using an air rifle. The offender may face imprisonment.

The incident occurred in February when a local resident heard howling and alerted the police. She discovered the dog's body in the neighbor's yard.

Upon arriving at the scene, investigators learned that a 25-year-old man from a neighboring village was visiting friends and consuming alcohol. During the conversation, he was informed by the owners that their dog was allegedly harming chickens, prompting him to take action. The guest retrieved an air gun from his vehicle and shot the dog in the eye.

A veterinary forensic examination concluded that the dog died from brain swelling due to the gunshot wound.

Police quickly located the perpetrator and seized the weapon. An expert confirmed it was a single-shot air rifle with a caliber of 4.5 mm.

After gathering sufficient evidence, police charged the man with animal cruelty resulting in the dog's death. Under Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the offender could face up to three years in prison.

The investigation is ongoing under the supervision of the Bereziv District Prosecutor's Office.