UAnimals filed a report with the police and the State Environmental Inspection demanding an inspection of the living conditions for animals at the Khmelnytskyi Zookutok. Activists claim that the owner is violating animal transportation rules, breeding them without proper permission, and keeping them in dirt and cramped enclosures.
Zookutok in Khmelnytskyi has been operating for 7 years. According to documents, it is a public organization called Zoo Protection, but unofficially it is referred to as Palokhin’s Zookutok. Owner Serhiy Palokhin claims that the animals living there have been rescued from terrible conditions. However, even the current conditions in which the animals are kept raise many questions for animal rights activists.
In early April, animal activists came to Zookutok demanding to see permits for keeping the animals and the conditions of their confinement. In a filmed video on April 7 by activist Daria Popovych, the owner says that the documents exist but does not show them, pushes Daria several times, and ushers the activists outside the zoo.
At Daria Popovych’s complaint, the police have initiated a criminal investigation. As part of this, specialists from the State Environmental Inspection of Khmelnytskyi Oblast will check compliance with environmental laws at Zookutok.
Activists claim that currently, employees of Zookutok are transferring animals to other organizations.
UAnimals requests the police to seize the animals pending a court decision.
If you witness a crime against animals, seek legal assistance in the UAnimals chatbot.
Photo: “Khmelnytskyi City Website”
