In recent weeks, OIPA has received a large number of photographs, videos, eyewitness testimonies and other reports allegedly documenting the poisoning, killing and mistreatment of stray dogs. Further information concerns animals being forcibly removed from the areas where they live and transported to remote desert locations, where they were reportedly abandoned without water, food, shelter or veterinary assistance.

Some of the animals were allegedly found suffering from severe dehydration, exhaustion, injuries and prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.

Particular concern has been raised over the situation reported in Alexandria, where hundreds of stray dogs were allegedly captured, loaded onto vehicles during the intense summer heat and transported to isolated areas. Additional reports have emerged from other locations, including Ras El Bar, where a significant number of dogs living within a residential compound were reportedly poisoned.

A selection of the extensive photographic and audiovisual material received was attached to OIPA’s formal communication. The organisation has urged the Egyptian authorities to examine the evidence and open prompt, impartial and transparent investigations into the reported incidents.

The purpose of the letter is to call for immediate action to prevent further suffering and to ensure that all operations involving stray animals are conducted in full compliance with humane, scientific and veterinary standards.

The reports and images received have caused deep shock among animal-protection organisations, advocates and members of the public, both within Egypt and internationally. OIPA is discussing the situation with its international network, partner organisations and relevant international bodies, which are following developments with growing concern.

At the same time, OIPA has acknowledged and welcomed the recent measures announced by the Egyptian authorities for the management of stray-animal populations in accordance with veterinary standards, the One Health framework and internationally recognised animal-health principles.

The announced approach gives priority to sterilisation, vaccination, veterinary care and coordinated population-management programmes as alternatives to poisoning, indiscriminate killing and unregulated removal.

These commitments represent an important and encouraging step. Their credibility and effectiveness, however, will depend on their full, transparent and consistent implementation across all governorates and municipalities.

The continuing reports received from the ground appear to indicate a serious gap between the measures officially announced and the practices allegedly still taking place at local level.

Abandoning dogs in desert areas cannot be regarded as a humane method of population management. Leaving animals in remote locations without water, food, shelter or veterinary assistance exposes them to prolonged suffering and death from dehydration, starvation, injuries and extreme temperatures.

Similarly, poisoning and indiscriminate killing do not offer an effective or sustainable response to stray-dog populations or to the prevention of rabies. Long-term solutions must instead be based on coordinated sterilisation and vaccination programmes, veterinary care, public education and cooperation with organisations operating on the ground.

Through its formal letter, OIPA called on the Egyptian authorities to:

• immediately suspend any operation involving poisoning, indiscriminate killing, cruel capture, abandonment in desert areas or relocation without appropriate veterinary supervision;
• urgently identify and rescue dogs reportedly transported to or abandoned in remote locations;
• open impartial and transparent investigations into the reported incidents, particularly those concerning Alexandria;
• ensure that all stray-animal management operations are officially authorised, properly supervised and fully consistent with the announced national strategy;
• publish transparent and verifiable information on the measures adopted and cooperate effectively with Egyptian animal-welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and qualified international organisations.

“The commitments announced by the Egyptian authorities must now be translated into concrete, transparent and verifiable action,” OIPA stated. “The reports received are too serious and numerous to be ignored. Stray-animal management must be based on sterilisation, vaccination, veterinary care and cooperation with organisations working on the ground.”

OIPA will continue to monitor the situation, collect and assess the supporting documentation received and keep its international partners and the relevant international bodies informed of further developments.

The organisation calls on the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt to recognise the urgency of the matter and take all necessary steps to ensure that the reported practices are immediately stopped, properly investigated and not repeated.

READ OIPA’S FULL LETTER TO THE EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES

L'articolo Stray Dogs in Egypt: OIPA ETS Calls for Immediate Action to Stop Poisoning, Killing and Abandonme proviene da OIPA.

According to information received from local contacts and reports published by the media, hundreds of stray dogs have allegedly been removed from the streets of Alexandria, loaded onto trucks and transported under extreme summer temperatures before being abandoned in remote desert areas without food, water or shelter.

Witnesses and animal welfare organisations have also reported cases of animals suffering from dehydration, injuries and exhaustion following these operations. The images and testimonies circulating in recent days have sparked widespread concern both within Egypt and internationally.

These reports are particularly worrying because they appear to contradict the strategy that the Egyptian Government has publicly presented in recent years to address the country’s stray dog population.

Egypt has repeatedly announced its commitment to implementing humane dog population management through Capture, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return (CNVR) programmes, together with the development of shelters, veterinary care, vaccination campaigns and measures aimed at achieving the national goal of becoming rabies-free by 2030.

If confirmed, the reported abandonment of dogs in desert areas would be fundamentally incompatible with these commitments and with internationally recognised standards for humane dog population management.

The management of stray animals undoubtedly represents a complex challenge involving public health, community safety and animal welfare. However, abandoning animals in isolated areas cannot be considered an effective or humane solution. Sustainable dog population management must be based on sterilisation, vaccination, responsible ownership, education and cooperation between institutions, veterinarians and animal welfare organisations.

In light of the seriousness of the reports received, OIPA is taking action.

The organisation is currently working on a joint institutional initiative, together with other international animal welfare organisations, aimed at addressing the Egyptian Government and the competent authorities. The objective is to request clarification regarding the reported events, encourage full transparency and urge the implementation of humane, science-based and legally compliant methods for managing stray dog populations.

Animal welfare cannot be separated from respect for the law, transparency and responsible public policies.

OIPA believes that every allegation deserves to be properly investigated and that any practice causing unnecessary suffering to animals is unacceptable. We therefore call upon the Egyptian authorities to ensure that the country’s declared commitments to humane dog population management are fully respected and effectively implemented.

OIPA will continue to closely monitor the situation and will keep the international community informed of further developments and institutional actions.

L'articolo Egypt: alarming reports of stray dogs captured and abandoned in the desert – OIPA calls for immediate action proviene da OIPA.