Kristina Babushkina, star of “Principled in St. Petersburg,” faces criticism following a scene depicting her character mistreating a dog. Viewers have voiced concerns about animal cruelty after observing a scene where her character appears to aggressively pull a pug on a leash.

The controversial scene, from the second episode, features Babushkina’s character walking a pug in a park. The dog visibly resists, and the actress is seen stepping over the animal and tugging forcefully on its leash.

This scene sparked outrage among animal rights activists and viewers. A blogger’s Instagram post questioning the treatment of the dog garnered significant attention, with over 1.4 million views and thousands of likes. The post raised concerns about the dog’s well-being and the potential exploitation of the animal for the sake of the scene.

The blogger questioned whether the dog was fatigued from repeated takes or simply frightened. The user also questioned why the production team appeared to use an untrained animal, rather than a professional dog actor.

A dog handler consulted by MSK1.RU suggested that the dog appeared to be “slightly frightened.” The expert noted that there are humane methods to guide animals for filming purposes, such as using treats or toys, without causing them distress.

Comments on social media platforms express outrage, with some users questioning the ethics of exploiting animals for entertainment and others suggesting that the actress should experience similar treatment. The scene has led to calls for greater accountability and sensitivity towards animals in the entertainment industry.

It’s worth noting that in 2023, Babushkina and her husband were involved in a drug-related incident, with drugs found in her car. Her husband was subsequently placed under house arrest.