A teenager set a fighting dog on a policewoman in Ternopil

In the center of Ternopil, a police officer who intervened in a supermarket dispute was attacked by a dog. The woman suffered lacerations to her face and sought medical attention.

An employee of the Ternopil District Police Department went into the store during her lunch break. There, she witnessed a dispute between the staff and a group of young people: the boys were acting brazenly, grossly disturbing public order, and ignoring the supermarket employees’ requests.

One of the customers was in the store with a dog of a fighting breed that was not wearing a muzzle. The group ignored the security guard’s remarks and refused to leave the premises. The police officer identified herself, showed her badge, and demanded that they stop breaking the rules. The young men responded aggressively but eventually left the store.

When the officer also went outside, one of the boys began insulting her with obscene language and then set the dog on her. The animal lunged at the woman. After the attack, the young man fled.

Law enforcement officers identified him and established his whereabouts. The attack involved a 17-year-old resident of Ternopil, who has repeatedly come to the attention of the police and is on a preventive supervision register. In addition, criminal proceedings in which he is a suspect in property-related offenses are being considered in court.

A criminal investigation was opened into the attack under Part 2 of Article 345 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — violence against a law enforcement officer. The boy faces up to five years in prison. Investigators are currently deciding whether to notify the minor that he is suspected of the offense and what preventive measure to seek.

We previously reported:

• Grenades and automatic gunfire: Man attacks police officers in Kropyvnytskyi
• Dogs near an apartment building divide residents: Some speak of attacks, others of human cruelty
• In Khmelnytskyi region, two men threaten police officers with an AK-12 assault rifle
• After publication, police respond: Dog owner faces a fine and confiscation of the animal
• “Coconut, get him!”: A Mykolaiv-style breakup — the bite is confirmed, but police see no crime