Hundreds of dogs found dead from starvation in Ukrainian animal shelter

Charity workers make grim discovery as Russian troops withdraw from area near Kyiv

A dog wanders around destroyed homes in Bucha, near Kyiv. Hundreds of other dogs in the town died in a deserted animal shelter. AP

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Hundreds of dogs have been found starved to death at an animal shelter after it was taken by Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.

Animal welfare charity Uanimals say more than 300 dogs died after being locked in their cages since the start of the invasion on February 24.

Concerned charity workers were unable to visit the shelter in the town of Borodyanka, about 40 kilometres from the centre of Kyiv, due to heavy fighting in the area.

The team was eventually able to visit the shelter on April 1 after the withdrawal of Russian troops, only to discover most of the dogs had perished from hunger.

Uanimals said 485 dogs were being looked after in the shelter before the invasion but only 150 survived, while all suffered from dehydration and severe malnutrition.

More than two dozen of those in the most serious condition were taken to private clinics for treatment, with several of them dying on the way.

Unverified footage purportedly taken in the shelter was shared on social media allegedly showing bodies of dead animals piled up and being dumped in wheelbarrows to be buried.

Uanimals announced on social media it was prepared to pay 50,000 hryvnia ($1,700) to anyone who rescues some of the surviving animals.

The group criticised the director of the Kyiv veterinary hospital, which owns the shelter, for failing to organise the proper care of the animals and an evacuation. Uanimals, which has filed a detailed report with police, said the deaths were preventable.

Residents say Russian President Vladimir Putin’s soldiers deliberately killed civilians as he withdraws his struggling troops from around Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, including from Bucha.

A mass grave and bodies with tied hands that were shot at close range were discovered in Bucha, a tow was recaptured from Russian forces at the weekend. Moscow denies the allegations and says the scenes were staged.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy has issued a warning that worse evidence of mass killings of civilians by Russian forces will surface as the Mr Putin repositions his troops to the south-east.

On Tuesday, France's anti-terrorist prosecutor said it had opened three inquiries over possible war crimes in Ukraine, related to acts against French citizens in the country.

The UN Human Rights Council has already condemned reported human rights abuses by Russian forces and launched an investigation into alleged war crimes. The UN’s International Court of Justice in The Hague has ordered Russia to halt the invasion, describing it as "unjustified".

Animal shelter in Ukraine - in pictures

Dogs at a home for rescued animals in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv. All photos by AFP

At the "Home for Rescued Animals" in Lviv exotic creatures are now sheltered alongside everyday pets.

The animals have been left behind in the rush of refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

A family visit the shelter to walk the dogs.

Women hug a dog at the shelter.

Shelter manager Orest Zalypskyy estimates his shelter has taken in 1,500 animals since the war began, from migrants and shelters in 'hot spots' to the east.

About 20 were collected from Lviv's train station - the locus of chaos in the first days of the war, where carriages and platforms heaved with desperate passengers.

Foxes in an aviary at the shelter.

Shelter manager Orest Zalypskyy, left, removes an identification tag before giving up a dog to the new family.

A man takes pictures of dogs on a visit to the shelter.

Foxes at the shelter.

A girl strokes a cat at a shelter.