Russian Internet censorship was broadened this week toinclude animal protection as two \"doghunter\" websites were banned inSt. Petersburg. <\/p>\n
Russia has athriving underground community ofvigilantes who kill off arguably dangerous stray dogs inareas where animal control measures are ineffective. Anestimated 1 million strays roam thestreets nationally andpeople have been wounded andeven killed inattacks byhungry dogs. <\/p>\n
Thecourt ban was imposed atthe request ofcity prosecutors, who said ontheir website that thesites violate Russian laws oninformation, theanimal world andprotection ofminors. <\/p>\n
Themove may spell achange inRussia's approach todog-hunters, none ofwhom have so far been found guilty ofanimal abuse. Thecountry's animal rights legislation only criminalizes animal abuse committed out ofhooliganism, forprofit or infront ofminors. <\/p>\n
Doghunters claim tobe doing thegovernment's job inprotecting thepublic. Some 16,600 people were attacked inMoscow alone bystray animals in2008, thelast year forwhich statistics are available, theFederal Consumer Protection Service said. <\/p>\n
Russia also censors online \"extremist\" content, pirated films andwebsites deemed topromote suicide, illegal drugs andchild pornography. <\/p>\n
Thelist oftopics subjected toonline censorship is increasing, with promotion ofunauthorized rallies added inlate December. <\/p>\n
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Read the original here: Russian Internet censorship was broadened this week toinclude animal protection as two \"doghunter\" websites were banned inSt. Petersburg. Continue reading
\nSt. Petersburg 'Doghunter' Websites Banned<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"