Boy injured in dog attack

In this week’s Buzz:

• Is there a cheaper way to get a lift pass when I’m here in January?

• Mild earthquake recorded in Bansko Municipality on Thursday

• Large, aggressive dog attacks boy while out walking his family’s poodle

• Does Bansko have a fire station?

• Street dog food machine arrives in Bansko

• Food eats up nearly 30% of Bulgarian household spending

• Pirin Ultra marathons this coming weekend

• Is the period after summer going to be “quieter” or “like a ghost town”?

An 11-year-old was bitten and the family's poodle killed by a dog that neighbours had already reported

About a week ago, an 11-year-old boy was walking his family’s poodle near his home in Bansko when a large shepherd-type dog (an Alabai) attacked it.

When the boy tried to stop the attack, the large dog bit him and continued its attack: the poodle died. What makes it worse is that this dog had attacked the same poodle before.

Neighbours say the dog was known to be aggressive and was often let out to wander alone; they were cautious about going out with their own dogs, and several reports were made to the local municipality about this specific dog.

Some people believe the same dog was involved in an incident in February near the gondola. At the time, the dog was returned to its owners with a warning. However, I haven't been able to confirm whether it is the same dog; if it is, then the municipality has questions to answer.

Most locally reported incidents involve owned dogs rather than street dogs. They’ve been let out to wander alone because “they’ve always done it” or “the dog wouldn’t harm anyone”. I know people do this because I regularly see four to seven owned dogs wandering around town. Is it right that they do this? I don’t think it is, but I’m sure others will have a different opinion.

The municipality’s “dog count” in September will mean that all dog owners in the local area must register their dog(s). Razlog Municipality published its guidance back in June, with a deadline of September 30th (Buzz issue #101). Bansko hasn’t announced anything yet, which likely means a last-minute scramble.

Will that mean the municipality takes action against aggressive dogs and owners who let their dogs wander alone? Who knows. It’ll be interesting to see what happens.

Read about the story here. [Translation required.]

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Inside the Bansko Notice Board Group

✍️ 66 New Posts, 💬 239 Comments, 👍️ 740 Reactions

Is there a cheaper way of getting lift passes in ski season?
Matthew is coming to ski in January and is wondering how he can keep costs reasonable for a ski pass for the three weeks he’s here. See what advice people had for him.

Travelling with a pet outside the EU
Samuel is travelling with his pet outside the European Union and wanted to know if anyone else had done this recently, and where they got their animal health certificate. Lots of things have changed recently, so some people offered a little help.

Let’s help get the percentage of recycling up in Bulgaria
Phillip posted that a low percentage of households in Bulgaria recycle items, and that we should all do our part. Many agreed, but some pointed out that the recycling bins in Bansko are often overflowing and need emptying more often.

How much should the monthly rental be for an apartment in Bansko?
EKIM wanted to check with members what they thought was a reasonable apartment rental amount in town. A few people offered their opinions.

Does Bansko have a fire station?
Pete saw a fire engine in the gondola car park last week when the Red Angel (HEMS) was completing its rescue missions, and wondered whether Bansko has a fire department or if we rely on other towns for help. See what people said.

Bansko & Beyond

Street dog food machine arrives in Bansko
This week, the Bansko Municipality installed the street dog food machine, where people put in a plastic bottle for recycling, and the machine dispenses food for street dogs. People have been using it too (I was told the collection bin in the machine is nearly half full). Read more.

Local municipality launches neutering programme for September
The local municipality has launched its second neutering programme this year in partnership with Bansko Street Dogs (where BSD or the municipality pays for a dog's neutering). This time the programme will also include cats, but I understand most of the appointments have been filled, and a promised contribution from Experimental Station Rainbow 12 towards neutering multiple cats was reduced to a single donation of €50. Read more.

Updates to Zdravets kindergarten now complete
This week, the municipality announced that all updates to Zdravets kindergarten on Bulgaria Street have been completed. This was a substantial refurbishment that started in August 2025 (see issue #55 of the Buzz) and included roof repairs, insulation improvements, replacement of the heating and ventilation system, and renovating outdoor play areas. Read more.

Other news stories
Here are a handful of other news stories you may find interesting:

• Mild earthquake recorded in Bansko Municipality on September 3rd [Translation required]

• Bansko renews its fleet for maintaining public areas [Translation required]

• Tent equipped as a greenhouse to grow cannabis found in Bansko [Translation required]

• New baggage handling system launched at Sofia Airport’s Terminal 2

• Food eats up nearly 30% of Bulgarian household spending

• Does keeping the price of cheese low in Bulgaria mean it’s now low quality?

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Events Next Week

Exhibitions at The Tourist Information Center
These run most days from 9am to 12noon and 1pm to 6pm at the Tourist Information Center (near the old tree). A Disney-inspired painting exhibition called Fairy World (by Daniela Roshkova) and a crochet exhibition called Fairy Tales (by Radostina Angelinina) continue on Monday and Tuesday. Then, from Friday (11th) to Tuesday 15th, Ventsislav Zahariev displays his paintings & graphics exhibition (Between Two Worlds).

Pirin Ultra
The Pirin Ultra is a set of ultra marathons with ranges of 15km, 25km, 38km, 68km and 160km, taking place from Thursday (10th) to Sunday (13th). Quite a few familiar names on the participant list for the 25km this year: good luck if you’re taking part! More info.

With a fishing rod, not a phone (Razlog)
On Saturday (12th) from 8am, young people aged 9 to 18 are invited to join other children and young people to step away from technology and experience a real outdoor adventure: fishing. Prizes for the top three in each category. More info.

ESC at Therme Forest (Banya)
From Friday (11th) to Sunday (13th), say goodbye to the summer with two boutique daytime parties in the fresh air and warm sunshine. The forest will “come alive with the sound of Paco Osuna, Diass, Dimo, Jaffar, Bagerziev and Ytrid”. Price from 285€ per person. More info.

Organising an event in or around Bansko? Submit it for consideration here.

Photo of the Week

The new street dog food machine located in the new gardens over the river.

Follow @banskobuzz on Instagram.

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