Freaky Dog Spinning Ritual in Bulgaria to Cure Rabies

The dog spinning ritual is being practiced since last several hundred years in a Brodilovo village in Bulgaria.

In this ritual a village dog is taken and is suspended above the water with the help of ropes. This dog is twisted circularly in one particular direction in order to coil up the rope around his body. 

The dog is then elevated to a particular height and the rope is let loose to unwind. As the rope unwinds, the dog spins rapidly and eventually falls in the water below.

The locals claim that the intent of this ritual is to protect them from rabies and evil spirits. The truth being said, most of the people indulge in this dog spinning ritual only for the purpose of their fun and enjoyment as most of these people are seen laughing and clicking pictures of the helpless dog. And obviously everyone knows that spinning dogs won’t cure any rabies! So basically, the whole thing is just a source of amusement for the local dwellers. 

Even the Bulgarian president, Boyko Borisov had condemned the ritual by terming it as barbaric.

Due to persistent oppositions from Bulgaria’s animal rights group, the government was forced to ban this ruthless festival in 2006 but this didn’t stop the villagers from indulging in the dog spinning. As in spite of the ban, there were several instances of dog spinning rituals recorded.

Due to Animal Rescue Sofia’s initiatives, a major change was made in this ritual. Now, instead of spinning the dog in the air, the dog would be directly thrown in the water.