Police deny seizure of 32 Dobermans in Kyiv: case may escalate to criminal charges

Official position of law enforcement

The events that unfolded in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv surrounding 27 Dobermans have taken a new turn. After several appeals to internal affairs bodies, the police provided an official clarification that radically changes the picture of the situation. According to representatives of the department, their officers did not seize 32 dogs from the owner and did not hand over any of them to the public organisation "Plyushka", Snizhana Bugryk, Oleksii Loktionov, or the DogLand cynological centre.

The police response states that a pre-trial investigation is being conducted in criminal case No. 12026100090001749. Information was entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations on 01.08.2026 on the signs of an offence provided for by Part 1 of Article 299 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (knowingly false report of the commission of a criminal offence). The applicant is the public organisation "Animal Protection 'Plyushka'".

«Під час здійснення працівниками поліції слідчих (розшукових) та інших процесуальних дій у межах зазначеного кримінального провадження 32 собак породи доберман у їх власника (володільця) працівниками поліції не вилучалися, процесуальні рішення про їх вилучення та передачу третім особам органом досудового розслідування не приймалися» (During the conduct of investigative (search) and other procedural actions by police officers within the framework of the aforementioned criminal proceedings, 32 Doberman breed dogs were not seized from their owner (possessor) by police officers, and procedural decisions on their seizure and transfer to third parties were not made by the pre-trial investigation body), — it is emphasised in the official statement.

It is also noted that between 30.07.2026 and 02.08.2026, 9 reports regarding events related to the dogs were received on the special "102" line. The pre-trial investigation body did not transfer 27 dogs to Snizhana Bugryk, the public organisation "Animal Protection 'Plyushka'", or any other physical or legal persons as seized property or physical evidence. Similarly, the transfer of any of the dogs mentioned in the request to Oleksii Loktionov, the DogLand cynological centre, or other persons as seized property or physical evidence was not carried out.

Circumstances of the incident and neighbours' testimony

The scandal began in early August 2026 with reports of terrible conditions for keeping animals in a private house. The initiators were Snizhana Bugryk and the public organisation "ZT 'Plyushka'", 50% of which belongs to her, and 50% to Serhiy Movchan. Oleksii Loktionov also participated in the "rescue operation".

The dog owner, Nataliia Kurach, was hospitalised after the incident, so the first comments came from neighbours who requested anonymity. They reported that at the time of the "seizure" of the animals, there was neither police nor police cars on the street. Several unknown vehicles pulled up to their house.

In a video published by Oleksii Loktionov, men in T-shirts with the inscription "DogLand" are seen forcibly taking dogs from private territory without the accompaniment of law enforcement officers. Loktionov himself states in the recording that he was asked for help, and three cars belonged to his centre. He also noted that the animals went to his cynological centre and everything is being done "absolutely free of charge". However, other animal volunteers who called Bugryk a day before the incident reported that she was already saying at that time: «все вирішено» (everything is settled). Only one dog out of 27 can be identified in the video, which shows signs of poor condition.

Documentary evidence and medical aspect

Nataliia Kurach provided an inspection report on the conditions of keeping dogs in the GALANT LINE breeding farm dated 17 July 2024 (Boryspil city). Although a different premises was inspected, the document records that the dogs were in good physical condition, had sufficient access to water, exercise yards, and were socialised. The expert notes that the presence of cages is normal for large dogs if they need to be separated, and no unsanitary conditions are observed in the photos.

Particular attention is required for the events when Snizhana Bugryk disposed of the animals and collected funds for "enteritis treatment". The director of the "Rudiy Kit" veterinary clinic reported that the facility does not provide treatment for infectious diseases. Documents confirming the diagnosis were not found. According to other medical records, the Dobermans were admitted to inpatient care only on 3 August, i.e., 4 days after the incident.

Legal consequences and possible Criminal Code articles

The totality of circumstances may indicate the presence of signs of several criminal offences. The final qualification must be determined by the pre-trial investigation body. Among the possible articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Art. 162 — violation of the inviolability of a dwelling or other possession of a person;
• Art. 185 — theft (unlawful appropriation of another's property);
• Art. 186 — robbery (open appropriation without legal grounds);
• Art. 187 — armed robbery (if the appropriation was accompanied by violence or threat);
• Art. 190 — fraud (appropriation of funds by deception);
• Art. 198 — acquisition, receipt, storage or sale of property obtained by a criminally unlawful method;
• Art. 383 — knowingly false report of the commission of a criminal offence;
• Art. 384 — misleading the court or other authorised body.

On 29 September 2026, a statement was submitted to the Solomianskyi District Police requesting the reclassification of the previously opened criminal proceedings. The author of the material notes that the continuation of the investigation into the activities of the public organisation "Plyushka" and the DogLand centre will be published later.