Officials from the Moscow regional prosecutor’s office report that Puma, a cougar, died after being set on fire by unidentified individuals in the Odintsovo district of the Moscow region, as disclosed through the regional authorities. The preliminary information indicates that during the night of March 15, in the Odintsovo district, unknown persons ignited an outbuilding on the property of a private residence where the cougar had been placed, resulting in the animal’s death, according to the supervisory body. A pre-investigation check has been launched by law enforcement to identify the perpetrators of the arson and to determine their motives. The inquiry is examining suspected acts of cruelty to animals, with references to the relevant provisions of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, including Part 2 of Article 245. Officials are coordinating with the district’s investigative units to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and to assess any potential links to broader criminal activity. In a separate development earlier in Moscow, authorities halted a car-sharing vehicle after investigators found an Asian lion cub inside the cabin, prompting immediate scrutiny of transport and animal welfare safety measures.
