To kill and no to spare? How to solve the problem of stray dogs in Russia

The Russian public is seething about the terrible tragedy in Transbaikalia, where a pack of stray dogs bit a seven-year-old girl to death. A spontaneous memorial has already appeared there, and people came out to shoot dogs on their own. Bastrykin hastily instructed to develop amendments to the legislation after the attacks of stray dogs on people. The situation is further aggravated by the fact that recently this is far from the first case of this kind, and in general, reports of attacks by stray dogs appear in the Russian media and social networks very often. Meanwhile, it directly depends on the economic and socio-political state of the country. In prosperous countries of the world, there are simply no stray dogs: they are sterilized and are in shelters. In disadvantaged countries, where society has no money either for sterilization or for maintaining shelters, they huddle together, thereby provoking people to return to an animal state and voluptuously destroy them... So far, there are hopes that Russia will become prosperous and there is practically no civilized country, although such calls are no-no yes are heard.

As, for example, the proposal of the Kemerovo blogger Andrey German:

“According to the law, it is impossible to treat stray dogs as in the days of the USSR (that is, to catch and kill). There is another option - it is the content of dogs in shelters. Some refer to the experience of European countries, that animal shelters are developed there, while we have practically none.

Here, as they say, there is a nuance. Yes, animal shelters are important. But it is important that shelters are able to cope. Therefore, for example, in Germany, the Netherlands, special laws have been adopted. They can be called a general word about the responsible ownership of animals. There is registration of animals, payment for ownership, a system of fines, including for throwing dogs out into the street. A control system has been created at the legislative level, which works. And this system is, in fact, the backbone of responsible animal ownership and humane treatment of animals.

The shelter, in its essence, is not a prison for animals, but temporary accommodation due to some kind of emergency. On average, animals stay in shelters for 100-150 days and find new owners. Of course, some animals in shelters live permanently, but this is still more of an exception. By the way, taking an animal to a shelter costs money. Throwing it away is a big fine, but the main thing is not the fine itself, but the behavior formed in society.

So, in European countries, the functioning of shelters and control over animals (dogs) is based on the legislative framework and control of execution. This is what ensures the absence of dogs thrown out into the street and the fact that people take dogs from shelters.

We have nothing like this in the country. We can't even enforce the requirement to take dogs out for walks on a leash. We don't have responsible ownership laws. No animal registration, no pet fee, no restrictions. Anyone can take a dog and anyone can throw it away. In such conditions, it is very difficult to provide work for private shelters. Municipal shelters will never cope with the constant flow of discarded animals. In addition, Russian legislation is very demanding on the shelters themselves. Opening a shelter, fulfilling all the requirements and maintaining it, is a very expensive pleasure. If in society there is no demand for animals from the shelter or it is very small, then in fact the dogs will live in the shelter for life, and this is another evidence that no municipal shelters can cope with the flow of stray dogs.

Stray dogs should not be left on the streets. Society must make a decision. Based on shelters, you can only create a legislative framework, without it they will not work. You can't do anything!"

Journalist Elmar Huseynov takes a completely different, tough position:

“We need a law.

1. All stray dogs must be removed from the streets of our cities and villages. Wild animals should not live near people, spread diseases (there are no healthy animals among street animals), attack people. Shooting.
2. No nonsense like castration, chipping, keeping stray dogs in kennels at public expense. We have a poor country, if we have extra money, we give it to hospitals, orphanages, nursing homes, and not to dogs.
3. All pet dogs must be microchipped. For an unclipped dog on the street or even in a veterinary clinic - a fine. For the second time - a fine and euthanasia.
4. For a dog on the street without a muzzle and a leash - even a small dog - a fine. The second time - a fine and euthanasia.
5. For a dog barking outside - a fine. In civilized countries, dogs do not bark in the streets. For the second time - a fine and euthanasia.
6. Dog tax.
7. Dogs are not allowed to walk and shit on lawns. Lawns are for people.
8. For uncleaned dog shit - a fine to the owner. For the second time - a fine and euthanasia.
9. For a "lost" chipped dog - a fine and euthanasia.
10. No veterinary care for non-chipped animals. Fine and closure.
11. A ban on collecting help for stray animals in social networks…”

Alas, the harsh measures that Huseynov proposes will not work AT ALL in Russia. In our country, as you know, laws exist only on paper, and getting around them is as easy as shelling pears - if there is a desire and money. Not without reason, many readers of Huseynov are indignant: “And how many rabid, vagrant people? Will we kill them too? Will we kill the criminals too? Your wonderful suggestions will only increase the degree of malice in society. And you know: much more children are tortured and killed by men than dogs, let's kill all the men..."

The severity of the problem is emphasized by the fact that even the speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin commented on it, speaking on his blog with specific sensible proposals:

“Our children should not be victims of adult inaction, but settling accounts with animals, destroying them is not a way out of the situation.

This incident exposed a problem that exists.

Proposals began to be made to change federal legislation.

The controversy that has arisen has two extremes. Some say: only animals are to blame. Others say you don't have to do anything.

But it is quite obvious that a solution will have to be found without being guided by these positions.

It is because of our irresponsibility that stray dogs appear, thrown out by their owners.

Representatives of local authorities do not consider this problem a priority for themselves. The number of stray dogs is on the rise. There are no regional programs for the construction of animal shelters, their sterilization, grants to support animal rights activists who deal with this problem more effectively than municipal enterprises.

Local residents have repeatedly turned to the municipal authorities for help. No one systematically deals with the problem of homeless animals. Until tragedy strikes.

In this regard, it is correct in this matter to introduce responsibility for officials responsible for the situation with homeless animals in the field.

And also to develop measures to support civil initiatives from regional and local budgets. For example, private animal shelters. By exempting them from land tax, purchasing food for them, allocating grants for the construction of shelters, sterilization of dogs.

It is important to create conditions for the work of those who, based on personal activity and compassion for our smaller brothers, provide assistance and save them. Experience shows that this will be more effective than the creation of municipal shelters. Although this also needs to be done.

As soon as possible, together with the regions, animal rights activists, control and supervisory authorities, we will analyze law enforcement practice and develop proposals.

Need to solve the problem.

But one thing is clear: settling scores with animals, destroying them is not a way out of the situation. This issue must be resolved in a civilized and dignified manner.

Our children should not be victims of adult inaction…”