'Useless and harmful it roams the streets': Stray dog that attacked man freed in Volgograd

In Volgograd, a dog that attacked a person and caused serious injuries has been released. Officials deemed the animal non-aggressive and, after quarantine, returned it to its familiar habitat. The victim of the attack by the black mongrel insists that no one has been held responsible for his injuries.

The attack on the man occurred back in autumn 2024. A homeless black dog attacked the man near building No. 58 on Universitetsky Avenue. The injured pedestrian was taken to a trauma center, had his wounds treated, received rabies and tetanus shots, and was given other medical assistance. However, the function of the damaged limb could not be fully restored.

«My leg miraculously healed, and the treating doctors acknowledged the seriousness of the damage. It was impossible to fully restore the leg»s function to what it was before the injury. This is now for life,« says the victim.

After the incident gained publicity, the chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, Alexander Bastrykin, took control of the investigation.

«Investigative bodies are investigating a criminal case on this fact under signs of a crime provided for by Article 293 of the Russian Criminal Code (negligence),» the department reported. «The head of the department instructed the head of the Investigative Committee»s directorate for the Volgograd region, Vasily Semenov, to report on the progress of the investigation and the established circumstances.«

According to the victim, the investigation has been drawn out, and the officials responsible for implementing the CNVR program (Capture-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) and for people«s safety on the streets have not faced any punishment for the dog attack.

«This is the second year of General Bastrykin»s supervision. For the second year in Russia, a basic question remains unanswered—who is responsible for an injury from a dog bite when colossal budget funds from the CNVR program have been spent on this dog twice. Meanwhile, the person who should be a defendant in the criminal negligence case against the municipal institution «Severnoye,» its director, has received a new position in Volgograd«s highly paid management system. And still, no one has answered for the harm caused to my health!» says the victim.

According to the Volgograd resident, the animal attacks only men, even those who show no signs of aggression towards it. The victim believes the animal may have a psychological deviation and that vaccination as a preventive measure against rabies and aggressive behavior will not help. The man is convinced that animals that repeatedly attack people after the CNVR program should be subject to other measures, not released back into the wild.

«They caught and kept this useless and harmful dog again, spending thousands of budget rubles. And I still haven»t received a single kopek for my injury! Moreover, this cunning and cowardly predator is now roaming somewhere in Volgograd, looking for another human leg to tear apart with its huge fangs. Any Volgograd resident can recognize this dog from the photo and be prepared for its vile and silent attack from behind,« says the victim.

The man clarified that investigators made him sign a written refusal to file civil lawsuits demanding compensation for damages until the criminal case is completed. The case, as clarified by the department, is still ongoing.

The V1.RU editorial office has sent a request to the city administration asking them to clarify what measures are applied to animals that repeatedly attack people after completing the CNVR program. The editorial office is also checking with the Volgograd region Investigative Committee for the results of the investigation into the negligence case against those responsible for controlling street animals.

It is worth noting that in Volgograd, they prohibited the release of dogs caught for attacking a person. However, captured animals must be transported to shelters carefully, ensuring there is water in the special vehicle. The corresponding bill was passed at a meeting of the Volgograd Regional Duma on 24 July 2025.

Shortly before the law was passed, in Kamyshin, Volgograd region, stray dogs multiplied after being fed by a local woman. The pack kept the entire area in fear, barking at passersby and attacking some of them.