Belarusian woman, owner of a restaurant in Batumi, found herself at the center of a dog scandal
Citizens accuse Alesia Zusko, owner of the Sea View Club restaurant, of aggression towards stray dogs and possible involvement in the poisoning of a dog named Raccoon. The Belarusian woman denies everything, while people are gathering for a protest.
Raccoon's death and a video after which the police intervened
The outrage began with the story of a dog named Raccoon, who lived in the New Boulevard area of Batumi and was known to local volunteers.
Animal rights activists believe that Raccoon died from poisoning on August 13. A version appeared on social media suggesting that the owner of the Sea View Club restaurant, Belarusian Alesia Zusko, might have been involved in his death. Some posts claimed that she had previously threatened to poison stray dogs and allegedly told employees that the poison she had laid out "finally worked."
A video began circulating on Georgian and Russian-language public pages, showing a woman approaching a stray dog, winding up, and throwing an object resembling a stone in its direction. The authors of the publications claim that the woman in the video is Alesia Zusko.
Other videos of conflicts with dogs, also linked to the owner of Sea View, are appearing on social media.
The story has already become the subject of a criminal investigation: in Georgia, a case was opened for cruelty to animals or other forms of violence.
In a conversation with the Georgian publication Batumelebi, Zusko confirmed that it was indeed her in the video, but stated that the recording was edited and did not show the full backstory. According to her version, the video was filmed about four years ago. Zusko claims that on that day, she came to the restaurant with her six-month-old child in her arms, and near the entrance, 15-17 dogs gathered and moved towards her barking. She allegedly first took the crying child away, and then began to chase the animals away. According to Zusko, she only picked up a stone to scare the dog and did not hit it.
Sea View: Raccoon was hit by an electric car
Following the scandal's eruption, Sea View published an official response. The restaurant stated that Batumi public pages spread "open lies" without waiting for any expert examination.
"As of today, there is no official document – a veterinarian's conclusion, an expert examination, a video, or a decision by state authorities – that would confirm these accusations."
According to Sea View's version, Raccoon's death was a "tragic accident involving an electric car." The restaurant claims there was another victim—a human—but no poisoning occurred.
"Sea View and the establishment's owner have no connection to electric cars, animal control, or poison. We are a pet-friendly restaurant and have been feeding this city for four years," the statement reads.
The company also states that it is ready for any inspection and can provide access to surveillance cameras, the kitchen, and storage facilities. The management is collecting materials to appeal to law enforcement agencies and protect its business reputation.
According to the restaurant, due to mass complaints, its Instagram was blocked, employees and the owner began receiving threats, and the business is suffering losses.
Indeed, users on various platforms are massively giving the restaurant minimal ratings, leaving angry comments, and urging others not to visit the establishment. A significant portion of the new reviews concerns accusations of cruelty to animals.
In a post, which the Telegram channel "Batumchik" presents as the position of the Sea View owner, it is claimed that the current wave of accusations is based on the story of a woman with whom the restaurant had a conflict several years ago. According to Zusko's version, this woman was feeding dogs directly near the restaurant's entrance. The owner claims that employees asked to move the feeding spot because the dogs were lying near the entrance, climbing onto sofas, and allegedly biting guests if they accidentally stepped on them. Complaints after this, according to her, were lodged with the administration.
"At the same time, not a single dog was ever harmed or, even more so, touched by us," she wrote.
She also announced her intention to contact the police regarding the dissemination of what she considers false information, defamation, and insults.
"Nasha Niva" reached out to the restaurant for comment, but they have not yet responded to our inquiry.
"Stun guns and water pistols lay behind the bar"
We spoke with a former Sea View employee. According to him, the management drove away stray dogs. However, they treated visitors' pets calmly.
— When people came with their pets, there were no problems. But stray dogs were dealt with because, allegedly, not all guests liked them roaming around there," the interlocutor recounts.
According to him, devices for deterring animals were constantly kept behind the bar:
— Stun guns, water pistols, and other devices were always there.
From animal protection to demands for retribution
The conflict surrounding the dogs existed long before Raccoon's death. As early as 2023, visitor reviews included complaints that a woman, identified by authors as the owner of Sea View, chased dogs away and doused them with water. According to the review author, the water also reached nearby sitting visitors.
In July 2025, an anonymous subscriber contacted the Telegram channel "Batumchik." She claimed that the owner of Sea View was "inciting some Georgians" against dogs near the neighboring Bike to Me:
"They walk around, deliberately provoking them with ultrasound, standing and shouting for the dogs to be killed, removed."
Later, reviews began to include claims of poisoning threats and the use of rat poison.
The discussion of the story quickly moved beyond the issue of dog treatment. In Georgian comments, demands began to emerge to close or even destroy the restaurant, deport Zusko and her husband, and ban them from entering the country.
On August 30 at 6 PM, animal rights activists plan to gather near Sea View. The organizers call the event a rally in defense of dogs and announce that journalists have been invited.
Who is Alesia Zusko
Alesia Zusko is a 42-year-old Belarusian woman who has been developing restaurant and entertainment businesses in Batumi for several years.
Her business story began long before moving to Georgia, back in Minsk.
At least since 2017, Alesia Biarzhanina (Zusko) was associated with Minsk's Private House — a bar on Zybitskaya Street. On her page, Zusko regularly advertised Private House, posed for it in bold images, and presented the club as part of her own lifestyle — with night parties and ostentatious luxury.
Private House opened in 2013, when Zybitskaya had not yet become Minsk's main party street. Initially, it operated as a private cinema club, and when it attracted too many visitors, one cinema hall was dismantled and replaced with a second bar. Later, a terrace appeared, and the focus shifted from film screenings to night parties.
Legally, Private House was linked to the private unitary enterprise "MamaMia," registered in October 2012 at the same address—Zybitskaya, 9.
The last publications of Minsk's Private House date back to October 2024. By that time, the company "MamaMia" already had problems. In April 2024, a decision was made for its liquidation, and later bankruptcy proceedings began. On May 28, 2026, the company was finally excluded from the Belarusian state register.
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