Tbilisi. Georgia recently saw a number of videos depicting violent treatment of animals spread through social networks and the media. These videos have left the public wondering about whether perpetrators have been held responsible.

''With the aim of receiving information on the number of cases brought before regional and city courts and number of natural persons held responsible for the crimes of animal cruelty IDFI referred to the Supreme Court of Georgia. It turns out that the Supreme Court does not keep separate statistics on administrative penalties imposed on cases of animal cruelty. As for criminal cases, in the period of ten years from 2006 to 2016, courts throughout Georgia have considered a total of 5 criminal cases related to animal cruelty. In three of these cases, the only reason why the court imposed a penalty harsher than a fine was the fact that the charges included offenses in addition to animal cruelty (murder, stealing and coercion)'', is noted in the statement.

Source: idfi.ge