The Higher Court in Podgorica has annulled the initial ruling from the Basic Court, which had sentenced Aco Novović from Podgorica to one year in prison for the murder and abuse of a dog, reducing the sentence to 11 months.

This information was disclosed today by the Basic Court in Podgorica.

“According to the initial ruling from the Basic Court, AN was sentenced to a year in prison for the offenses of killing and torturing animals and for damaging their habitats. The Higher Court has now revised this decision, imposing an 11-month prison term. Last May, AN tied a dog of unknown breed and brown color to an ‘Opel Astra’ vehicle using a rope and subsequently dragged it through the streets of the Blok IX area,” the statement elaborates.

The Basic Court also noted that Novović has a history of multiple convictions, including for violent crimes, which influenced the sentence length.

“This approach to penal policy highlights the zero tolerance stance toward such treatment of animals,” stated the Basic Court in Podgorica.

The incident for which Novović was prosecuted occurred on May 29. A report submitted to the Police Directorate (UP), which “Vijesti” had previously published, indicated that an unidentified black vehicle with the registration number PL-AH was seen in Vlada Ćetkovića Street, situated in the Blok IX neighborhood of Podgorica, during the evening hours.

“The vehicle was dragging a dog that was tied to it along Vlada Ćetkovića Street. Upon arrival, I discovered a deceased dog still attached to the vehicle in question…”, among other details, the report mentioned.

After the complainant managed to photograph the vehicle and the dog, the driver reportedly fled the scene in an unknown direction, “dragging the already deceased dog behind him.”

The report also indicated that this individual had been reported multiple times before for animal torture and abuse.

According to the Criminal Code of Montenegro, killing an animal can result in fines or a prison sentence of up to two years.

Novović has been a notable figure locally for years, particularly for keeping wolves in the Tološi neighborhood. Neighbors have lodged complaints due to the presence of these wolves in a populated area. Competent authorities, including environmental inspections, have intervened on several occasions.

A pursuit was organized in September 2020 when one of his wolves escaped his property.

Just three months before that, the Directorate for Inspection Affairs informed “Vijesti” that Novović had not obtained a license to keep wolves, and a request for initiating misdemeanor proceedings was referred to the relevant court, along with a proposal for the confiscation of the wild animals to ensure their placement in a suitable facility.

Inspectors previously found that Novović was housing more than 20 wolves in multiple cages located in a densely populated area. This conclusion was based on testimonies, given that direct access to the cages was not feasible.

According to Novović’s claims, he has kept wolves for nearly 40 years and asserts that he initially acquired the first cubs, while the rest were bred in captivity.

The Law on Nature Protection mandates that anyone acquiring a wild animal for captivity must submit a request for a permit and inform authorities within 30 days of acquisition. Non-compliance can lead to fines ranging from 2,000 to 40,000 euros for legal entities and 250 to 2,000 euros for individuals.

As reported by “Vijesti,” Novović has never received a permit for wolf custody.

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