The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has launched an investigation into the potential illegal killing and burial of dogs, following the release of video footage from the Veli cemetery on the outskirts of Tbilisi. The case is being investigated under Article 259 of the Criminal Code, which addresses animal cruelty.

The investigation was prompted by footage aired by the television channel TV Pirveli on the program "Saturday with Nodar Meladze." The report alleges that the video shows the remains of dogs being buried at night in a pit dug specifically for this purpose at the cemetery site. Following the broadcast, animal rights advocates appealed to the Prosecutor’s Office, demanding an inquiry into the circumstances of the animals' deaths and an assessment of the legality of the actions taken by the responsible services.

In their appeal, the activists requested the exhumation of the remains, an independent forensic veterinary examination, a check for microchips or other identification markers, and a comparison of the discovered remains with reports from residents regarding missing dogs across various regions of the country. The petitioners highlighted a specific detail mentioned in the TV report: according to those involved in the investigation, the body of one of the dogs found was still warm.

"While this fact alone does not establish the cause of death, it raises serious questions regarding the circumstances under which the animals died, as well as the legality and humane nature of the euthanasia procedures," the petition states.

The animal rights advocates have also demanded an examination of the documentation justifying the euthanasia, a review of the records concerning the substances used, the identification of those who authorized the transport and burial of the animals, and an audit of the official statistics on dog mortality and euthanasia. "The public has a right to know how many animals died and under what circumstances; what methods and substances were used for euthanasia; who made the decisions regarding the animals' euthanasia and the burial of their remains; to what extent official statistics reflect the actual situation; and why the burial was carried out in secret, under the cover of night," the authors of the petition stated.

The Tbilisi City Hall Animal Monitoring Agency has rejected allegations of the mass, deliberate culling of dogs. The agency stated that the video footage shows the legally mandated burial process for the remains of animals that died in the capital due to illness, traffic accidents, other mishaps, or natural causes.

"Particularly outrageous is the slanderous claim that the burial site contains dogs that were alive and then deliberately euthanized—this is an absolute lie and a piece of disinformation," the agency’s statement reads.

The agency further characterized the circulation of the video footage and the actions of individuals who took it upon themselves to dig up the burial site as part of a campaign to discredit the municipal service and the Tbilisi City Hall.

The agency maintains that hundreds of animals in the capital are euthanized annually for medical reasons, while thousands more die of natural causes. It noted that information regarding the service's operations and its procedures for handling animals is available on its official website.

Additionally, the agency highlighted the sanitary risks involved in the unauthorized exhumation and handling of animal remains, warning that such actions could lead to biological contamination and pose a threat to both human health and the environment. The agency reported that it has already contacted law enforcement authorities regarding these incidents.