On January 24, Bulgaria's Parliament approved the second reading of the Animal Protection Bill, Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) said.

The law bans organising animal fights and abandoning domestic animals.

A ban is put on inflicting pain and injury on animals during film-making.

Unless otherwise covered by criminal law, conviction of serious cruelty to an animal will mean a fine of 500 to 1000 leva. The definition of acts of cruelty are to include sexual abuse of animals, and any act or omission that means repeated suffering for an animal or that causes it permanent injury. An animal will be confiscated by the state if the animal's owner is accused of cruelty.

Breeding of cats and dogs in apartments in condominiums is banned, unless the necessary space has been provided. Space requirements are defined as no less than six sq m for small dog breeds weighing up to 10kg and no less than 10sq m for dogs weighing more than 25kg. A minimum of six sq m of space has to be provided to be allowed to breed cats an apartment in a condominium.

Dogs that are bred and kept on a lead would have to be provided with at least 5m of leash securing them free movement and daily walks, BNR said.