MOSCOW, December 23 (RAPSI) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said during his annual press-conference on Friday that he would support toughening punishment for animal cruelty.

Currently, there are proposals on tightening legislation regulating this issue, the President said. “And I would support them,” he added. However, everything should be done reasonably, according to Putin.

Generally, it is necessary to rely on principles of human duty in relation to animals, the President claimed speaking about rights of animals and their owners.

Recently, cases of animal cruelty became more frequent in Russia. In particular, in November, a court in Russia’s far eastern city of Khabarovsk ordered the detention of two 17-year old girls who were charged with animal abuse. The girls published images of animal cruelty on the Internet. Investigators allege that they abused about 15 animals and birds. 15 biological material samples and spoils of two animals were seized by law enforcement officers. A cat’s skull was found during searches at the apartments of one of the girls.

In this regard, lawmakers have submitted to the State Duma a package of bills toughening penalties for animal abuse.

Under the bill proposed by A Just Russia party, administrative liability for such crimes, if they are not resulted in injuries or death of an animal, would be established at the federal level.

Another submitted draft law specifies the term “injury” and introduces criminal liability for organizing and carrying out fighting involving animals as well as for setting some animals on others entailed their death or injury. The bill also stipulates that cruelty resulted in the animals’ injury or death would be punished with prison terms of up to 6 years.

Moreover, MPs from the Liberal Democratic Party (LDPR), Vitaly Pashin and Danil Shilkov, have submitted a bill to the lower house of Russia’s parliament establishing a position of animal ombudsman. Establishment of such post in Russia will make it possible to protect not only domestic animals but rare species of wild animals as well, they said.