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Russian Internet censorship was broadened this week toinclude animal protection as two "doghunter" websites were banned inSt. Petersburg.

Russia has athriving underground community ofvigilantes who kill off arguably dangerous stray dogs inareas where animal control measures are ineffective. Anestimated 1 million strays roam thestreets nationally andpeople have been wounded andeven killed inattacks byhungry dogs.

Thecourt ban was imposed atthe request ofcity prosecutors, who said ontheir website that thesites violate Russian laws oninformation, theanimal world andprotection ofminors.

Themove may spell achange inRussia's approach todog-hunters, none ofwhom have so far been found guilty ofanimal abuse. Thecountry's animal rights legislation only criminalizes animal abuse committed out ofhooliganism, forprofit or infront ofminors.

Doghunters claim tobe doing thegovernment's job inprotecting thepublic. Some 16,600 people were attacked inMoscow alone bystray animals in2008, thelast year forwhich statistics are available, theFederal Consumer Protection Service said.

Russia also censors online "extremist" content, pirated films andwebsites deemed topromote suicide, illegal drugs andchild pornography.

Thelist oftopics subjected toonline censorship is increasing, with promotion ofunauthorized rallies added inlate December.

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St. Petersburg 'Doghunter' Websites Banned