According to a report, Belgian martial arts star Jean-Claude Van Damme showed his soft side when he stepped on the field between Norway and Bulgaria to save the month-old Chihuahua from euthanasia.
After selling to Norway’s new owners, Raya was not allowed to register because she had entered the country on a fake Bulgarian passport, the agency told AFP.
Bulgaria refused to return the rye, citing EU rules on the transport of animals – meaning the poorer cubs faced the possibility of being put down.
But the so-called “Brussels Muscles” took a bit of a turn on social media, where he posted safetys embracing his own Chihuahua, according to AFP.
“I urge you, please, for my birthday, the Food Safety Authority, to change your decision,” Van Dame wrote as he initiated a petition to save the dog.
“They made a mistake, people who didn’t do the paperwork properly … but they can’t kill that little Chihuahua,” he added.
The Bulgarian Food Safety Authority received the message and decided to allow Rai to return, further stating that she would receive a medical checkup and be placed for adoption.
Yevar Gashev of the Four Claws Animal Rights group told AFP that Bulgaria should be congratulated for the reassurance, but called for tighter controls on illegal breeders and cattle traders.
He said the export of pets to Eastern and Western and Northern Europe is a lucrative business, he told the outlet.
Ray’s plight is similar to that of Panka Guy, who was sentenced to death after wandering the Bulgarian-Serbian border in 2018.
Panka saved thanks to an international campaign that included the Beetle Paul Paul McCartney.
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