At a protest over the shooting of dogs in Bauska Municipality, which is taking place on Thursday outside the municipal police, flowers and lit candles are being laid, LETA observed.
The protest was organized to demand the dismissal of Police Chief Egīls Gailis. He is currently suspended from his duties.
Protesters are bringing flowers and candles. Many attendees have come with their dogs. The crowd chants various slogans, including “Bauska Municipality is not safe,” and joins together in song.
As reported, pending an internal investigation regarding the shooting of dogs in Brunava Parish in Bauska Municipality last week, the municipal police chief Gailis has been suspended from performing his duties.
By order of Bauska Municipality Executive Director Ivars Romānovs, explanations have been obtained from municipal police officers. The circumstances of the case are still being clarified, and
it is being assessed whether municipal police officers followed the procedural action algorithm.
At the same time, the Bauska Municipal Police has contacted the Internal Security Bureau, the State Police (VP), and the Information Center of the Ministry of the Interior in connection with a data leak. Bauska Municipality will also contact the Data State Inspectorate regarding the leak.
Bauska Municipality also emphasizes that it categorically condemns threats of personal physical reprisals made against municipal police officers and their relatives, which have been observed on social media in recent days.
The duties of the Bauska Municipal Police Chief are currently being performed by Deputy Chief Aivars Vilciņš.
As previously reported, in connection with last Friday’s shooting of three dogs in Bauska Municipality, criminal proceedings have been initiated for cruel treatment of animals resulting in their death. Businessman Modris Konovalovs, known as the owner of the farm “Modra olas,” announced on social media that the animals belonged to him.
The municipality explains that
on the 10th of October the municipal police received a call about three aggressive stray dogs
that were threatening a homeowner on private property in Brunava Parish. The municipal police duty officer contacted the Animal Rescue Service—animal catchers. However, a representative of a hunting collective arrived before the animal catchers and shot the dogs.
The State Police has launched criminal proceedings under Section 230, Part 2 of the Criminal Law for cruel treatment of animals. This offense is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, short-term detention, or probation supervision, with revocation of the right to keep certain or all species of animals for up to five years.
The State Police continues to ascertain all the circumstances of the incident. As soon as possible, the police promise to provide information about the course of the investigation.
The municipal police has initiated two administrative proceedings—regarding the killing of a roe deer by the dogs, and for allowing the animals to roam.
The Animal Rescue Service was also involved in the incident. It reports that after 1 p.m. on Friday it received a call about three aggressive dogs in a homeowner’s yard. “Unfortunately, we managed to identify the dog owner almost simultaneously with the police, who read the microchips of the already deceased dogs,” the organization stated. The Animal Rescue Service also urges dog owners to ensure their animals do not roam.
An internal review has been launched against three municipal police officers, but these officers continue to work.
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