Egypt has organized intensive campaigns
against stray animals
The animals are being poisoned with strychnine and/or randomly shot
January 10, 2013 - The citizens of Suez had been waked up by the sounds of gunshots and were surprised to discover in the morning, that stray dogs had been shot dead and dumped beside the garbage bins on the streets, waiting to be removed.
According to SUEZ NEWS NETWORK, the massacre was ordered by the Governor of Suez, Military General Samir Badr Aglan.
According to SUEZ NEWS NETWORK, the massacre was ordered by the Governor of Suez, Military General Samir Badr Aglan.
On January 15, 2013 Dr. Suad Al-Kholi, Director of Veterinary Medicine, announced that the Directorate has organized intensive campaigns against stray animals which resulted in the extermination of 1,757 dogs and 518 cats stray while 3,266 animals had been vaccinated against foot and mouth disease and Rift Valley Fever.
In another announcement, the undersecretary of the Veterinary Services in Ismailia, stated that the extermination campaigns will be extended to other cities and regions; that they will use strychnine to poison the animals and / or will kill them with rifles.
According to the same announcement, the extermination campaign is organized in the city of Ismailia until January 31, from 15 to 17 of January in the village of Ein twig, and from 19 to 21 January in Balillaah.
In Qantara Sharq Center until January 24, and the Department of Abu Sawyer until January 13, Fayed Center until January 29 and Bakasasin from 5 to 31 January and Paltel great until January 30, and West Qantara until 31 January 2013.
In another announcement, the undersecretary of the Veterinary Services in Ismailia, stated that the extermination campaigns will be extended to other cities and regions; that they will use strychnine to poison the animals and / or will kill them with rifles.
According to the same announcement, the extermination campaign is organized in the city of Ismailia until January 31, from 15 to 17 of January in the village of Ein twig, and from 19 to 21 January in Balillaah.
In Qantara Sharq Center until January 24, and the Department of Abu Sawyer until January 13, Fayed Center until January 29 and Bakasasin from 5 to 31 January and Paltel great until January 30, and West Qantara until 31 January 2013.
In Dahab, street dogs have already fallen victim to poisoning and have died over the last few days. Among the victims are also people's companion animals.
C A U T I O N !!!
.
C A U T I O N !!!
.
- Please keep your cats inside
- Walk your dog(s) on the leash and if possible, muzzle your dog(s) while out walking
- Bring your dog or cat to the nearest veterinary clinic URGENTLY if you notice any signs of poisoning as listed below
- Please help save the remaining street dogs by being on the lookout for poison. The poison has been reportedly found in cement bags and also in small bags with bread, tomato and meat. The poison is often invisible, so absence of white powder does not mean that the food is not poisoned. Anything that looks unusual or suspicious is best disposed of. Do not put in the rubbish skips or cats will get it. It should be burned. If you don't have gloves, you can protect your hands with a plastic bag, paper or anything available to avoid contact.
Strychnine poisoning in dogs
Strychnine is a very dangerous and strong poison that is often used in baits used for killing rats, moles, gophers, and other rodents or unwanted predators. Having a very short duration of action, the clinical symptoms of strychnine poisoning typically appear within ten minutes to two hours after ingestion, resulting in sudden death.
Patients often will die of strangulation due to spasming of the muscles involved in respiration. Dogs of all ages are equally susceptible to the adverse effects of strychnine.
Symptoms and types
The following are some of the symptoms of strychnine poisoning:
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment for strychnine poisoning needs to be given immediately. If you know or suspect that your dog was exposed to poison and you can gather a sample of vomit or feces to take to your veterinarian for immediate laboratory analysis, your doctor will be better able to treat your dog quickly and effectively. As much as possible, you will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have led to this condition.
Blood samples will be taken for testing, as poison can cause a number of system failures and imbalances, and treatment will be based on the specific conditions, with the most serious being being given primary attention. Routine laboratory tests will include a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. The biochemistry profile may indicate an abnormal rise in the levels of enzymes called creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, and the urinalysis may show high levels of the protein myglobin (myglobinuria). A blood sample will also be submitted for determination of blood gases, which are often at abnormal levels due to respiratory muscle spasms. Your veterinarian may also take samples of the stomach contents for analysis and/or to determine if any damage has taken place in the stomach lining.
Source
Patients often will die of strangulation due to spasming of the muscles involved in respiration. Dogs of all ages are equally susceptible to the adverse effects of strychnine.
Symptoms and types
The following are some of the symptoms of strychnine poisoning:
- Limb rigidity
- Stiff muscles
- Severe spasms leading to arching of the head, neck and back in extremehyperextension (opisthotonus)
- Uncontrolled violent seizures (sometimes in response to bright lights or noise)
- Breathing difficulties, inability to breathe
- Elevated heart rate
- High body temperature
- Vomiting
Causes
- Malicious poisoning by lacing foods with strychnine
- Accidental exposure to baits (common in dogs)
- Ingestion of poisoned rodents and birds
Diagnosis
Treatment for strychnine poisoning needs to be given immediately. If you know or suspect that your dog was exposed to poison and you can gather a sample of vomit or feces to take to your veterinarian for immediate laboratory analysis, your doctor will be better able to treat your dog quickly and effectively. As much as possible, you will need to give your veterinarian a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have led to this condition.
Blood samples will be taken for testing, as poison can cause a number of system failures and imbalances, and treatment will be based on the specific conditions, with the most serious being being given primary attention. Routine laboratory tests will include a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis. The biochemistry profile may indicate an abnormal rise in the levels of enzymes called creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, and the urinalysis may show high levels of the protein myglobin (myglobinuria). A blood sample will also be submitted for determination of blood gases, which are often at abnormal levels due to respiratory muscle spasms. Your veterinarian may also take samples of the stomach contents for analysis and/or to determine if any damage has taken place in the stomach lining.
Source
On stray animals extermination in Egypt and the actions taken
by Egyptian activists and organizations since 2007
The following summary is taken from the petition that our Egyptian correspondent, Dina Zulfikar, had started in 2007:
On Friday 11th May, 2007 a female pregnant bitch was shot today at 1,15 in the afternoon in "Sahl Hamza" street, in Pyramids road, 15 minutes after being shot she was still alive and was shaking, the witnesses tried to help but it was too late. Only one bullet to kill each dog, this mother was shot in her belly, we have the pictures... look at the pictures. This is how we reduce dog populations in Egypt.
An alternate solution has been handed to the Egyptian Government, without baring any costs.. yet the offer was denied.
We, the animal lovers together with SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL RIGHTS PROTECTION IN EGYPT registered as a charitable organization with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Affairs Registration No. 1615 (2001) believe that killing street dogs and cats is inhumane and does not go well with our cultural ethos of love and compassion for animals.
Sunday 13th May, 2007: the slaughtering continues. Andrea went down to feed the dogs as usual, as the past 10 months since she had been in Cairo, she found 2 of them dead beside each other, the other two were not in sight, on my way to her home after she called me in hysteria not believing this happened, I spotted the two, I went down and got one of them, I had the power and the determination to get her and I just carried her from the street unfortunately the other big one ran away, we tried to spot him again an hour later he showed up, it seems he was trying to look for his friends, he found them dead, he smelled them and stood there, I tried to catch it on camera but it was not good it was already dark and I hardly could get the other photos that I will send later, Andrea tried to call him but he just left immediately on the opposite way, and god knows where he will be or what will happen ,we will try to locate him but I do not know what will happen, while standing to take pictures another couple of foreigner passed by us and said this is the third time this week they see such a scene , dogs shot on the corners of streets.
Andrea is devastated, I do not know till when I will be able to hold on, they killed the kindest two of them, the one I caught is also very kind but rather new than the other ones. they were killed in the morning according to porters in the area, they were already blowing and smelly when I got there to take pictures For those of you who do not know who is Andrea, she is the famous American/ gernan woman who adopted our big boy lord, and wrote Lord tales when she adopted him, she is also dog trainer and has been helping us for a while now, she also did our spare leaflet and was working on another for the massacre that happened at Haram area two days ago when this was happening to her dogs, it is even astonishing as it is known that no shooting is allowed in residential areas where foreigners specially Americans are living.
The madness is going on and will not stop, sine once again we called the municipality and complained trying to know whose orders was it this time and the reply came that we should not bother calling, they will continue to shoot and consider it their mission. witnessed by: Mona Khalil
Tuesday 15th May, 2007: Shooting continues in Mohandessin district of Cairo
Wednesday 16 May, 2007: Petition daily update is emailed on daily basis to the ministries concerned in Egypt. Amina Abaza - the chairman of Society for animal protection in Egypt sparealife.org - delivered by hand with receipt our requests to the Ministers of Egypt on the 15th of May. No response up till now. A half page ad will be published Saturday 19th May at one of the most read newspapers in Egypt "Akhbar Al Yawm"..
Mr. Ahmed El Sherbiny Chairman of Animal Friends in Egypt has sent faxes to the ministries of Egypt calling them to take action and to stop the brutal cruelty of dog slaughtering.
SPARE received no reports of shooting today.
Friday 18 May, 2007: First step towards victory, thanks to all - we will continue our petition, this time to address the Egyptian Parliament.
Egyptian news paper The almasry-alyoum Egyptian newspaper published: Official sources in the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that the Egyptian President asked the Egyptian Minister of Agriculture to prepare a report about stray dogs in Egypt, and to open an investigation into reports published by various press and animal welfare organizations appalling the practice of shooting and poisoning.
The sources added that the President called for applying humane international measures in dealing with stray animals instead of shooting and poisoning which detracts from Egypt's status as a land of culture and center of tourism.
It is expected that the Egyptian Minister of Agriculture would issue strict instructions to the veterinary medicine department in govern orates in coordination with public utility police force to apply humane methods (vaccination) instead of shooting and poisoning.
In context the Animal welfare organizations in Egypt is considering a call for an urgent meeting tomorrow, Saturday to discuss the sequences of the use of inhumane methods which has been prohibited internationally, besides escalating the applaud and issuing a brief, pleading calling the Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak to issue an order to stop the shooting and poisoning of stray animals.
Bridget Bar dot had sent a fax to Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak to interfere in the mass slaughtering of Egyptian dogs and called the Egyptian government to use humane methods instead of shooting and poisoning.
22 May, 2007: According to SPARE (sparealife.org) report by Mona Khalil: Poisoning dogs reported in Mohandessin area in Cairo May 21st. I was optimistic, but seems that the Egyptian President's statement published on the 18th May "the President called for applying humane international measures in dealing with stray animals instead of shooting and poisoning" was misunderstood!
On behalf of all animal lovers in the world I would like to show my gratitude and appreciation for all those who signed the petition and made our voices heard, without each and every one of you nothing could have happened. Together we are strong.
23 May, 2007 - WSPA remains committed
Re: Cairo Dog Control
Dear Dina,
Thank you for writing to us.
WSPA have been involved in trying to address the dog shooting and poisoning issue in Cairo for about ten years, much of that time in collaboration with your organisation SPARE.
Unfortunately success has been very limited, primarily due the complex and extensive nature of the problem. Initially WSPA coordinated a campaign encouraging an international audience, particularly past or potential tourists to Egypt, to petition the government to stop shooting and poisoning dogs, explaining that they found it despicable and would not come to Egypt if it did not cease. This worked to an extent as the risk of loosing tourist revenue prompted the government to open discussions with Animal Welfare groups one of which was WSPA.
The government then invited WSPA to show them how to tackle the problem in a humane way. Conferences & workshops were held to sensitise the authorities about the issues of dog control and to highlight to them the futility & inhumanity of mass extermination.
A pilot programme was then started in the Abissiya vet clinic in collaboration with the GOVS to prove to the authorities that the suggested alternatives worked. The pilot failed for a number of reasons, the most important being the lack of commitment and motivation on the part of GOVS. This however was not the sole reason. The fact remains that in order to achieve genuine dog control; a number of different interventions need to be carried out simultaneously.
In addition to mass sterilisation these should include; finding out where exactly the stray dogs are actually coming from and then trying to address the cause, solid waste management, education, improved legislation and better enforcement to ensure that it is maintained. This did not happen!
As you can see the investment needed to successfully control the Cairo dog issue is huge and unless the responsible authorities make a genuine effort to address it, it is impossible for any charitable organisation to tackle the issue unilaterally. It is therefore very important to try and get the government to buy-in to the concept and not just pay it lip service.
I won’t even try to explain to you as an Egyptian the size of this task but suffice to say that it will be a long hard road, one on which you have bravely take the first steps.
WSPA remains committed to reducing cruelty in every part of the world and considering our long history of involvement in Cairo we would undoubtedly step forward once more but this time we would only engage with the government if we believed the commitment from the authority was genuine.
I hope my sagacity does not deflate your noble efforts but rather clarifies where you need to focus and in particular gives you an idea of the key components of a holistic dog control programme as this is needed to make a long term impact on the issue.
With best regards
Nick
Dr. Nick de Souza
Regional Director – África
World Society for the Protection of Animals
PO Box 105476 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
13 June, 2007: Attempts to address the committees concerned in the parliament failed, as each claimed it was not the authorized (agriculture, health and environment, interior).
We addressed the MP of Qasr El Nil area, who promised to submit our demands to the Egyptian Parliament upon his return from a trip on the 19th. In parallel we are trying to contact the MP Essam Mokhtar of Heliopolis and Nasr City who has already raised a speed up manifesto to Ahmed Nazif the Cabinet Minister at the people's assembly Egyptian Parliament on 2 June 2007 condemning the cruel acts of shooting and poisoning street dogs. pls see: http://ikhwansharq.com/news.php?ID_a=1102
22 Sept, 2007: Dr. Nick De Souza set a meeting in Cairo on the 14th of Sept with the animal welfare organizations in Egypt. Addressing the government in Egypt is not an easy goal to achieve in the near future however WSPA was ready to fund achievable targets.
We agreed on creating Animal Welfare Awareness Research in Egypt Group to discuss our next goal for another set meeting in Cairo on the 14th Nov.
Animal welfare awareness research in Egypt, AWAR
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awar/
14 November, 2007: GREAT GREAT NEWS TO ALL:
the AWAR yahoo group delivered a question to the Formal Opinion at the AZHAR "dar aleftaa", and as per submitted request by hand registered 1723. His Eminence the Mufti formal opinion:
KILLING PEACEFUL STRAY DOGS IS HARAM ANY ACT BY OFFICIALS OR WELFARE ORGANIZATIONS OR ANYTHING OF THE SORT IS HARAM AS LONG AS THE DOGS ARE PEACEFUL THIS APPLIES TO ALL STRAY AND OWNED DOGS
listen yourself, call 107 Dar El Eftaa
refer to question #821881
listen to the answer
18 November, 2007: Thanks to WSPA Dr. Nick De Souza -- Animal welfare awareness research in Egypt, AWAR / Animal Welfare Awareness Research in Egypt was created on 14 September. The group was formed from various animal organizations in Egypt after a meeting with WSPA in Cairo the same day upon the advice of Dr. Nick De Souza to keep track and discuss the next achievable goal . The purpose of forming this group is to circulate and discuss the possible achievable goals in relation to animal rights protection in Egypt.
July 29, 2008: Legislation has been submitted to Ministry of Agriculture but was refused claiming there was a redundancy. Another trial to submit legislation through Vetrinary College is currently underway.
AWAR group has scheduled regular awareness campaigns at Giza Zoo (50 to 90 thousand Egyptians visit the zoo during weekends). Regular awareness events are organized by AWAR in coalition of all AW organizations and groups are participating. Awareness to stop cruelty is our only mean now to stop the abuse. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27575762@N06/page3/
4 November, 2008: Two weeks ago the newspapers highlighted the incident of 2 persons attacked by a mammal (dog species) in Aswan.
The Governor of Aswan formed a committee of:
Gen Vet Services Department
Health department
National Council for Women
headed by Dr. Omar Mohamadein
The mammal description: rare legs long, two canines showing off clearly. Three of these mammals were shot, even though the Governor ordered the 4 main units of Aswan to carry on shooting and poisoning stray dogs. Already 1300 dogs were killed and the massacre is continuing in Aswan. What is feared is that more Governors may allow these same methods to avoid this mammal.
It is well known that stray dogs are the main defense of cities especially if surrounded by desert, dogs prevents wild species from
entering cities, e.g. In Sirilanka when dog massacre was made leopards entered the city and attacked people.
1,200 dogs were killed
budget: 15,000 Egyptian Pounds to buy poison of strychnine
25,000 Egyptian pounds for shooting
Action taken:
Necessary contacts were made to alert the public, the Ahram newspaper correspondence in Aswan will high light the issue. Contacts with Dr. Hoda Mustafa NATINAL COOUNCIL FOR WOMEN was made to alert about the crises of echo system contacts with conservation unit, Ministry of Environment were made.
Contacts with ecologists Faculty of Science Cairo University was made to provide complete documents to the authorities, Govs, newspaper and all media concerned parties. High alert as promised would be published by the Ahram newspaper.
5 November, 2008: Ahram Newspaper published:
Animal Welfare Organizations in Egypt, counts 9 in Egypt, condemned the killing of 2300 stray dogs in Aswan and Dina Zulfikar, coordinator of Animal Welfare Organizations in Egypt fears that ecological imbalance may occur as a result of extermination of stray dogs which are considered the first defense for cities against harmful animals which habitats in the mountains surrounding Aswan. With the illumination of those dogs these can enter the city and attack man and animal.
Dr. Wael Abd El Monem, environmental ecologist Cairo University supports this point of view and asks for adopting a study and description of this mammal, environmental description about the so called mammal named "Salawa", studying what made this mammal appear, why is it attacking people, adding that extermination of stray dogs would result in a generation of wild dogs which may defensively act against extermination. Original link in arabic: http://www.ahram.org.eg/archive/Index.asp?CurFN=nday3.htm&DID=9757
7 November, 2008: Qena Governorate, Northern Aswan, Ahram newspaper reports that 2 wolves attacked two citizens in daylight? The wolves were slaughtered. I suspect the Governor of Qena in defense would order mass killing of dogs, the guards of the city. I suspect the eco system of Aswan, South of Qena was disturbed after the mass killing of 2300 dogs, thus wildlife, had to travel or exit the city of Aswan, it is known that wolves can travel 30 to 50 miles per day.
8 November, 2008: Reports received of shooting stray dogs 8pm in Giza Square. AWAR group inquired from Utility police unit of Giza, yes they did as they received complaints from an individual stating that the dogs are attacking people, when confronting the police officer, he said they killed rabie infected dogs, who told you the dogs you killed had rabies, answer: they look so?!
December, 2008: WSPA had signed agreement with Egytian Federation to conduct Participatory Planning Project for the problem of stray dogs in Cairo. The workshops were conducted by the National Research Center of Egypt, attended by all stake holders, Govs., Vets, Animal Welfare Societies (not all), Representation from Ministry of Interior, Representation Ministry of Agriculture, families concerned, Central Zoos Representative, .. etc
April 20, 2009: First and second phase of Participatory Planning Project were successful, some differences is surfacing within Egyptian Federation members regarding the issue of the possibility of conducting euthanasia on healthy animals. Matters are halted as EFAW, Egyptian Federation members are split to two parties now because of euthanasia issue.
As for the legislation, no way to push the legislation which was conducted by AW societies, it is obvious and clear, the Ministry of Agriculture has to form committee to work on legislation, this committee would include animal welfare societies and not visa versa as was done before.
Massive shooting of dogs continues as police claims they receive complaints from citizens in the neighbourhood where stray dogs group.
September 2010: Mass shooting and poisoning is taking place in a big scale now, it seems that the excuse now is: a rabies infected dog has bitten a person, so, the Governors of various Governorates order mass shooting or mass poisoning.. without investigation.... this is done, healthy unhealthy animals, this is done, dangers of strychnine poison on environment, this is done... Pressure must be kept on. Each Sunday the petition updated would be emailed to the Governors, Cabinet of Ministers, Ministers involved. We will not give up.
6 November, 2010: The Government in Egypt still insists on using strychnine poison to address stray dogs problems in Egypt.
Regardless of warnings of danger of using this poison on man and animals Gen. Vet Services insists. Whilst the Utility police force insist on shooting dogs regardless of the plea from Animal welfare groups and organizations in Egypt. The legislation, one was submitted by Animal Friends, but refused due to points which were found redundant, another legislation was proposed by OIE conference held in Cairo last month, God only knows if there is any hope in coming up with a legislation or applying the standards submitted by OIE.
END OF POSTS ---
Excerpt of
the Egyptian Constitution
Islam is the religion of the state and the Arabic language is its official language.
Principles of Islamic law (Shari’a) are the principal source of legislation.
Thus according to Islam, and understanding of Quran,
it is forbidden to kill peaceful animals.
The petition(s)
TO:
The President of Egypt, Mr Mohamed Morsi
The Chairperson of the General Organization of Veterinary Services, Military General and Dr. Osama Selim
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Cultivation, Dr. Salah Mohamed Abdel Moemen Khalil
Ministry of Interior, Gen. Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim Mohamed Moustafa
Ministry of Religious Endowment (Awkaf), Dr. Talaat Mohamed Afify Salem
Ministry of Health and Housing, Dr. Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Ahmed Hamed
Ministry of Media, Mr. Metwaly Salah Abdel Maksoud Metwaly
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Tarek Wafik Mohamed
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mohamed Kamel Ali Amr
Ministry of State Environment Affairs, Dr. Khaled Mohamed Fahmy
Ministry of State for Local Development, Dr. Mohamed Aly Ismail Beshr
Ministry of Justice, Dr. Mohamed Saber Ibrahim Arab
Ministry of Education, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Ghoneim Deif
Ministry of State for Parliamentary Councils Affairs, Dr. Omar Mohamed Mohamed Salem
Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Mohamed Hisham Abbas Zaazou
Dear Mr President,
Dear Military General, Dr. Osama Selim,
Dear Ministers,
it has come to ours - and the world's - attention, that Egypt has started massive extermination campaigns against straying animals, using strychnine poisoning and / or by randomly shooting the animals.
Poisoning of animals with strychnine is extremely cruel and results in a very painful, agonizing death of the animals. It puts the animals through violent seizures, rigidity, muscle stiffness, fast heart rate, difficult or slow breathing, then cessation of breathing which eventually leads to death. Strychnine poison can also be very dangerous to humans who can come in contact with poisoned foods, as in the case of poor people, street children and garbage collectors, and it has already been reported that also people's companion animals (owned dogs) have become victims of your poisoning campaigns.
Shooting the animals rarely kills them instantly; instead they are left to bleed for several hours and even days until they die in pain and agony.
These are distressing "solutions", unworthy of a civilized country!
We are very shocked by your government's decision to solve the stray animals issue in your country in such barbaric manner, not to mention that it is against the Egyptian Constitution and the Principles of Islamic law (Shari’a) which are the principal source of your legislation, and that states that it is forbidden to kill peaceful animals.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization’s “Guidelines for Dog Population Management” (Geneva 1990) and various other academic studies clearly show that killing dogs is ineffective as a means of controlling stray animal populations, and after 20 years of repeated killings of stray animals in Egypt, you should know by now, that it does not stop the problem and only offers a temporary “solution”.
Catch-Neuter-Return is the only proven humane and effective method to reduce stray animal populations. Statistical studies indicate that in order to fully control a stray population, you need to achieve a 70 percent sterilization rate of the animals within a particular community. Once you reach the 70 percent threshold, the probability that an unsterilized female comes into contact with an unsterilized male is sufficiently small, and the population stops growing.
The only proven and effective method to prevent epidemics and / or to stop the spread of diseases, including rabies, are vaccines and also here, culling of free-roaming dogs and cats has proven to be ineffective.
The International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM) has published a guidance on the humane management of dog populations, which will guide and help you to implement an effective and sustainable approach that is proven to be effective. This document can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.animalmosaic.org/Images/Humane_Dog_Population_Management_Guidance_English_tcm46-32307.pdf
Dear Mr President and dear Government Officials of Egypt, we implore you to stop these extermination campaigns immediately! Not doing so would inevitably harm the reputation of your country; it would be harmful to the beauty and values of your country and it would reduce tourism.
This situation leads to increasing world-wide information campaigns and protests against the atrocities that are being carried out in your country and you can thus expect boycott of tourism and commerce, advertising against Egypt, demonstrations in front of your embassies, travel agencies, on the internet and various media.
We sincerely hope that you will remedy to this atrocious situation. Until such a time, however, we regret that it will be necessary to boycott Egypt both as a tourist and by way of commerce and to encourage others to participate in a boycott as well.
We thank you for having taken the time to read our letter and we will continue to follow the evolution of the stray animals issue in your country with great interest.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
The President of Egypt, Mr Mohamed Morsi
The Chairperson of the General Organization of Veterinary Services, Military General and Dr. Osama Selim
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Cultivation, Dr. Salah Mohamed Abdel Moemen Khalil
Ministry of Interior, Gen. Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim Mohamed Moustafa
Ministry of Religious Endowment (Awkaf), Dr. Talaat Mohamed Afify Salem
Ministry of Health and Housing, Dr. Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Ahmed Hamed
Ministry of Media, Mr. Metwaly Salah Abdel Maksoud Metwaly
Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Tarek Wafik Mohamed
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mohamed Kamel Ali Amr
Ministry of State Environment Affairs, Dr. Khaled Mohamed Fahmy
Ministry of State for Local Development, Dr. Mohamed Aly Ismail Beshr
Ministry of Justice, Dr. Mohamed Saber Ibrahim Arab
Ministry of Education, Dr. Ibrahim Ahmed Ghoneim Deif
Ministry of State for Parliamentary Councils Affairs, Dr. Omar Mohamed Mohamed Salem
Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Mohamed Hisham Abbas Zaazou
Dear Mr President,
Dear Military General, Dr. Osama Selim,
Dear Ministers,
it has come to ours - and the world's - attention, that Egypt has started massive extermination campaigns against straying animals, using strychnine poisoning and / or by randomly shooting the animals.
Poisoning of animals with strychnine is extremely cruel and results in a very painful, agonizing death of the animals. It puts the animals through violent seizures, rigidity, muscle stiffness, fast heart rate, difficult or slow breathing, then cessation of breathing which eventually leads to death. Strychnine poison can also be very dangerous to humans who can come in contact with poisoned foods, as in the case of poor people, street children and garbage collectors, and it has already been reported that also people's companion animals (owned dogs) have become victims of your poisoning campaigns.
Shooting the animals rarely kills them instantly; instead they are left to bleed for several hours and even days until they die in pain and agony.
These are distressing "solutions", unworthy of a civilized country!
We are very shocked by your government's decision to solve the stray animals issue in your country in such barbaric manner, not to mention that it is against the Egyptian Constitution and the Principles of Islamic law (Shari’a) which are the principal source of your legislation, and that states that it is forbidden to kill peaceful animals.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization’s “Guidelines for Dog Population Management” (Geneva 1990) and various other academic studies clearly show that killing dogs is ineffective as a means of controlling stray animal populations, and after 20 years of repeated killings of stray animals in Egypt, you should know by now, that it does not stop the problem and only offers a temporary “solution”.
Catch-Neuter-Return is the only proven humane and effective method to reduce stray animal populations. Statistical studies indicate that in order to fully control a stray population, you need to achieve a 70 percent sterilization rate of the animals within a particular community. Once you reach the 70 percent threshold, the probability that an unsterilized female comes into contact with an unsterilized male is sufficiently small, and the population stops growing.
The only proven and effective method to prevent epidemics and / or to stop the spread of diseases, including rabies, are vaccines and also here, culling of free-roaming dogs and cats has proven to be ineffective.
The International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM) has published a guidance on the humane management of dog populations, which will guide and help you to implement an effective and sustainable approach that is proven to be effective. This document can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.animalmosaic.org/Images/Humane_Dog_Population_Management_Guidance_English_tcm46-32307.pdf
Dear Mr President and dear Government Officials of Egypt, we implore you to stop these extermination campaigns immediately! Not doing so would inevitably harm the reputation of your country; it would be harmful to the beauty and values of your country and it would reduce tourism.
This situation leads to increasing world-wide information campaigns and protests against the atrocities that are being carried out in your country and you can thus expect boycott of tourism and commerce, advertising against Egypt, demonstrations in front of your embassies, travel agencies, on the internet and various media.
We sincerely hope that you will remedy to this atrocious situation. Until such a time, however, we regret that it will be necessary to boycott Egypt both as a tourist and by way of commerce and to encourage others to participate in a boycott as well.
We thank you for having taken the time to read our letter and we will continue to follow the evolution of the stray animals issue in your country with great interest.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
Please sign also the petition that Dina had started in 2007.
The signatures will be delivered in regular intervals.
Updates
February 27, 2013 - The Veterinary Services of Ismaileya has announced that they would maintain and even intensify the campaigns to eliminate all stray dogs during the month of March. The authorities intend to shot the dogs and to use Strychnine poison, said the Undersecretary of the Directorate of Veterinary Medicine in Ismailia.
إسماعيلية - جمال حراجى
تستأنف مديرية الطب البيطرى بالمحافظة والوحدات البيطرية بالمراكز والمدن بالتنسيق مع الوحدات المحلية وشرطة المرافق حملتها المكثفة للقضاء على الكلاب الضالة خلال شهر مارس وخاصة أن هذه الفترة تعتبر فترة التزاوج والتكاثر لدى الكلاب وتناشد الوحدات المحلية المواطنين التعاون مع الحملة وعدم حماية الكلاب وخاصة فى الضواحى بحجة الحراسة والإبلاغ عن أماكن تجمع الكلاب وخاصة فى الخربات والجانين وسوف تستخدم الحملة الخرطوش وسم الاستركنين.
وقال الدكتور صالح عبد اللطيف الخباز وكيل الوزارة للطب البيطرى بالإسماعيلية، إن خط سير الحملة يبدأ من مدينة الإسماعيلية تبدأ الحملة من يوم السبت 2/3 إلى فجر الخميس 3/3/2013 وذلك باستخدام الخرطوش كما سوف تستخدم الاستركنين فى نفس الحملة فى مدينة الإسماعيلية وذلك فى الفترة من 3/3 إلى 28/3.
تستأنف مديرية الطب البيطرى بالمحافظة والوحدات البيطرية بالمراكز والمدن بالتنسيق مع الوحدات المحلية وشرطة المرافق حملتها المكثفة للقضاء على الكلاب الضالة خلال شهر مارس وخاصة أن هذه الفترة تعتبر فترة التزاوج والتكاثر لدى الكلاب وتناشد الوحدات المحلية المواطنين التعاون مع الحملة وعدم حماية الكلاب وخاصة فى الضواحى بحجة الحراسة والإبلاغ عن أماكن تجمع الكلاب وخاصة فى الخربات والجانين وسوف تستخدم الحملة الخرطوش وسم الاستركنين.
وقال الدكتور صالح عبد اللطيف الخباز وكيل الوزارة للطب البيطرى بالإسماعيلية، إن خط سير الحملة يبدأ من مدينة الإسماعيلية تبدأ الحملة من يوم السبت 2/3 إلى فجر الخميس 3/3/2013 وذلك باستخدام الخرطوش كما سوف تستخدم الاستركنين فى نفس الحملة فى مدينة الإسماعيلية وذلك فى الفترة من 3/3 إلى 28/3.
February 28, 2013 - In a recent press communique, Ashraf Rabei from the City Council of Mokattam district, confirmed that the authorities have planned to kill stray dogs now systematically each Sunday and Wednesday in their district.
Given that the poison used is too weak to kill big dogs and because there are lots of stray dogs in that district, they will now be shooting them, but they have assured the citizens in their communique "that they won't hurt anyone".
Ashraf Rabei pointed also out that, in only 2 weeks, they have already killed 136 dogs in Mokattam district.
Given that the poison used is too weak to kill big dogs and because there are lots of stray dogs in that district, they will now be shooting them, but they have assured the citizens in their communique "that they won't hurt anyone".
Ashraf Rabei pointed also out that, in only 2 weeks, they have already killed 136 dogs in Mokattam district.
March 2, 2013 - Egyptian animal rights activists held a meeting with Mr. Ashraf Rabei from the City Council of Mokattam, at the City Council's office - not only stray dogs but also wolves and foxes had been killed in Mokattam.
Present at the meeting were: Mr. Ashraf Rabei - Dina Zulfikar - Nancy Zaazaa - Monica - and Ali - as well as groups of civil society of Mokattam, who first raised the case of 3 incidents of bitten citizens.
Dina made inquiries to the city council who claimed that GOVS Cairo, said these were rabies infected animals. When Dina asked for a report, they said that they don't have any report and when discussing with the civil society and the secretary of the city council, they got to know that there were no rabies infected animals!
The vets of GOVS say there is hybrid breeding between dogs and wolves and this is why they poison them all!!!
Fact is: The Mokattam is a mountain, and foxes and wolves live in some areas of the mountain. Recently, about 3 weeks ago, a new construction company started building compounds which resulted in loss of habitats of the wolves and the foxes...
Dina demands that representatives from the Ministry of Environment be present at the next meeting set for Monday, 4 March, because foxes and wolves are protected by law.
Today's meeting lasted from 12:00 noon to 3 pm.
السيد رئيس حي المقطم أستاذ أشرف ربيع - دكتور سعاد الخولي –مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة - السادة مجلس الشورى - السادة اللجنة التأسيسية للدستور - السادة المنطوين بجهاز حماية شئون البيئة - السادة المنطوين بتقييم أثر بيئي - السادة علماء الأزهر - الأحزاب الإسلامية المرجع
اليوم 2 ارس 2013 ذهبنا للقاء السيد رئيس حي المقطم لحثه علي إيقاف أيام القتل العشوائي للقطط الكلاب الثعالب الذئاب بمنطقة المقطم كإجراء وقائي بعد أن وردت بلاغات عن ثلاث حالات تم عقرهم...
الإجابة كانت: هذه كلاب ضالة مسعورة........ من أفاد بذلك؟
الطبيب البيطري المنوط من مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة
هل هناك تقرير بصفة تشريحية يفيد بان سبب العقر كلب أو خلافه مصاب بالسعار؟
لا.... لقد فشل الطبيب البيطري المنوط في معرفة إن كانت الكلاب مصابة بالسعار أم لا....
تم استدعاء القائمين علي حملة "أنا من المقطم" من المجتمع المدني.... و جلسنا في مائدة حوار...
بالفعل هناك 3 بلاغات عن عقر.... احد الحالات طفل في الثالثة من العمر كان يلعب بالكرة أمام بيته فتم عقره....!!! البلاغان الآخرين... لا نعرف كيف حدثت الوقائع و أين بالمقطم.....
سألناهم: هل تمت معاينة من مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة...
الإجابة: نعم و أفادت دكتور سعاد الخولي بأن من الشواهد هناك هجين من الكلاب و الذئاب و هو الذي يهاجم الناس لكن لا يوجد حالة سعار....
سألناهم: هل دكتور سعاد قدمت هذا التقرير كتابة إليكم؟
الإجابة: لا... رفضت و قالت انتم ليس لكم الحق في الاطلاع علي التقرير
سألناهم: ما الذي تم من إجراء من قبل مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة
الإجابة : يقومون بحملات من منتصف الليل و يسمون جميع الكلاب و الثعالب و الذئاب في المنطقة!!!
السوءال: ماذا يستخدمون؟
الإجابة : سم الستريكنين
السوءال: هل أنتم راضين عن قتل المسالم و الغير مسالم؟
الإجابة: يعنينا في المقام الأول المواطن....و إن كنا لا نشجع قتل الحيوان الضال المسالم فكثيرا ممن يقطنون بالحي يربون كلاب ضالة للحراسة
السوءال: هل تم قتل الحيوان الذي تسبب في حالات العقر هذه؟
الإجابة: يتم قتل جميع الحيوانات... دكتور سعاد الخولي أفادت بان هذا الهجين لا يأكل لحوم (ميتة) بل يأكل لحوم مذبوحة حديثا ... و إنهم يضعون السم فيها!!!!!
السوءال: كم عدد المواطنين الذين يتعرضون لحوادث حين يعبرون الطريق في شوارع المقطم التي ليس بها علامات لعبور المشاة أو غيره.......
الإجابة: غير معروف لكنهم كثيرين
السوءال: الدين الحنيف دين الرحمة و يحث علي الرفق و الرحمة بالحيوان المسالم ... كذلك يجب أن نفرق بين الحيوانات المستأنسة و الغير مستأنسة... الحيوانات البرية كالذئاب و الثعالب المحمية بالقانون المصري لجهاز حماية شئون البيئة.... هل توافقون علي الإجراءات التي تتم
الإجابة : لا
نطلب تشكيل لجنة وطنية للوقوف علي الوضع و دراسته دراسة علمية من المتخصصين في كل من: جهاز حماية شئون البيئة – الحياة البرية ، و الهيئة العامة للخدمات البيطرية – الأمراض المشتركة – الباحثين في مجال علم الحيوان – كليات العلوم المنوطة....... رابطات و نشطاء الرفق بالحيوان لتنظيم حملات توعية مجتمعية في الحي......و الاتفاق علي التعاون للوصول إلي إجراءات سليمة تضمن أولا سلامة المواطن و البيئة ... الرحمة و الرفق بالحيوان – التوعية – تخصيص منطقة يقام فيها عمليات اخصاء و تطعيم للحيوانات المستأنسة الموجودة و متابعتها من قبل المجتمع المدني في الحي المنادين بالرفق بالحيوان – الاستعانة بأطباء بيطريون متطوعين من المجتمع المدني لتحليل دقيق للمشكلة و الوصول إلي حقيقة علمية ... هل هناك بالفعل هجين..... ما هي مواصفاته..... كيفية إيجاد خل بما يراعي الشريعة و الرحمة...
دأبت الدولة علي استيراد سم الستريكنين بكميات .... هل الكميات هذه تعني ان السم كافي لعدد حالات الحيوانات المصابة بالسعار فى مصر؟ لو كان الرد نعم يبقي مصر توضع فى قائمة الدول التي يجب مقاطعتها دوليا لأنها ضربت الرقم القياسي فى العالم لعدد الحيوانات المصابة بالسعار.... السعار قد يصيب أي حيوان عدا الزواحف ذوي الدم البارد... يعني بقر، جاموس ، فئران و غيره!!!
هل الدولة قامت بالتصرف العلمي لحل هذه الظاهرة..؟ ما هو رأي المتخصصين فى البيئة و رجال الدين؟
شركة "اعمار" قامت بالبناء و تشييد منطقة سكنية حدثا بالمنطقة ترتب عليها هجر الحيوانات البرية للمنطقة و النزوح الي مناطق أخري.... ما الاجراءات التي اتخذها جهاز حماية شئون البيئة لحماية الحيوانات البرية التي جري هدم موائلها؟ أحمل هذه الشركة الأثار المترتبة علي القيام بتشييد منطقة سكنية فى هذه المنطقة و احملهم مسئولية ايجاد منطقة بديلة تنقل اليها الحيوانات البرية المصرية المنشأ.
أريد تفسيرا سليما: هل الاسلام دين الرحمة يبيح قتل الحيوان الضال المسالم؟ هل الشريعة كمصدر للدستور المصري تعني: ترخيص بقتل الحيوان الضال المسالم
سوءال لأخصائيين علي الحيوان – هل هناك كائن ما يمسي "السلعوة" !!!!!
الأطباء البيطريين ذوي القلب الرحيم و الخبرة.... تكلمت اليوم مع الدكتور حسن شفيق نائب رئيس الهيئة العامة للخدمات البطرية و شرحت له الموقف و أجاب بأن هناك حملات ضدهم و انهم لن يوقفوا هذه الحملات.... سألته هل ممكن لأطبائنا البيطريين الذين لديهم خبرة و رحمة مرافقة هذه الحملة للتأكيد علي ان ما يقتل مصاب بالسعار.... أجاب نعم.... انزلوا معاهم و شوروا ليهم فين المصاب السعار .... هل لي أن أطلب من أطباء بيطريين متطوعين ممثلين للمجتمع المدني المساعدة فى وقف هذه المذبجة و الابادة؟
اليوم 2 ارس 2013 ذهبنا للقاء السيد رئيس حي المقطم لحثه علي إيقاف أيام القتل العشوائي للقطط الكلاب الثعالب الذئاب بمنطقة المقطم كإجراء وقائي بعد أن وردت بلاغات عن ثلاث حالات تم عقرهم...
الإجابة كانت: هذه كلاب ضالة مسعورة........ من أفاد بذلك؟
الطبيب البيطري المنوط من مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة
هل هناك تقرير بصفة تشريحية يفيد بان سبب العقر كلب أو خلافه مصاب بالسعار؟
لا.... لقد فشل الطبيب البيطري المنوط في معرفة إن كانت الكلاب مصابة بالسعار أم لا....
تم استدعاء القائمين علي حملة "أنا من المقطم" من المجتمع المدني.... و جلسنا في مائدة حوار...
بالفعل هناك 3 بلاغات عن عقر.... احد الحالات طفل في الثالثة من العمر كان يلعب بالكرة أمام بيته فتم عقره....!!! البلاغان الآخرين... لا نعرف كيف حدثت الوقائع و أين بالمقطم.....
سألناهم: هل تمت معاينة من مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة...
الإجابة: نعم و أفادت دكتور سعاد الخولي بأن من الشواهد هناك هجين من الكلاب و الذئاب و هو الذي يهاجم الناس لكن لا يوجد حالة سعار....
سألناهم: هل دكتور سعاد قدمت هذا التقرير كتابة إليكم؟
الإجابة: لا... رفضت و قالت انتم ليس لكم الحق في الاطلاع علي التقرير
سألناهم: ما الذي تم من إجراء من قبل مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة
الإجابة : يقومون بحملات من منتصف الليل و يسمون جميع الكلاب و الثعالب و الذئاب في المنطقة!!!
السوءال: ماذا يستخدمون؟
الإجابة : سم الستريكنين
السوءال: هل أنتم راضين عن قتل المسالم و الغير مسالم؟
الإجابة: يعنينا في المقام الأول المواطن....و إن كنا لا نشجع قتل الحيوان الضال المسالم فكثيرا ممن يقطنون بالحي يربون كلاب ضالة للحراسة
السوءال: هل تم قتل الحيوان الذي تسبب في حالات العقر هذه؟
الإجابة: يتم قتل جميع الحيوانات... دكتور سعاد الخولي أفادت بان هذا الهجين لا يأكل لحوم (ميتة) بل يأكل لحوم مذبوحة حديثا ... و إنهم يضعون السم فيها!!!!!
السوءال: كم عدد المواطنين الذين يتعرضون لحوادث حين يعبرون الطريق في شوارع المقطم التي ليس بها علامات لعبور المشاة أو غيره.......
الإجابة: غير معروف لكنهم كثيرين
السوءال: الدين الحنيف دين الرحمة و يحث علي الرفق و الرحمة بالحيوان المسالم ... كذلك يجب أن نفرق بين الحيوانات المستأنسة و الغير مستأنسة... الحيوانات البرية كالذئاب و الثعالب المحمية بالقانون المصري لجهاز حماية شئون البيئة.... هل توافقون علي الإجراءات التي تتم
الإجابة : لا
نطلب تشكيل لجنة وطنية للوقوف علي الوضع و دراسته دراسة علمية من المتخصصين في كل من: جهاز حماية شئون البيئة – الحياة البرية ، و الهيئة العامة للخدمات البيطرية – الأمراض المشتركة – الباحثين في مجال علم الحيوان – كليات العلوم المنوطة....... رابطات و نشطاء الرفق بالحيوان لتنظيم حملات توعية مجتمعية في الحي......و الاتفاق علي التعاون للوصول إلي إجراءات سليمة تضمن أولا سلامة المواطن و البيئة ... الرحمة و الرفق بالحيوان – التوعية – تخصيص منطقة يقام فيها عمليات اخصاء و تطعيم للحيوانات المستأنسة الموجودة و متابعتها من قبل المجتمع المدني في الحي المنادين بالرفق بالحيوان – الاستعانة بأطباء بيطريون متطوعين من المجتمع المدني لتحليل دقيق للمشكلة و الوصول إلي حقيقة علمية ... هل هناك بالفعل هجين..... ما هي مواصفاته..... كيفية إيجاد خل بما يراعي الشريعة و الرحمة...
دأبت الدولة علي استيراد سم الستريكنين بكميات .... هل الكميات هذه تعني ان السم كافي لعدد حالات الحيوانات المصابة بالسعار فى مصر؟ لو كان الرد نعم يبقي مصر توضع فى قائمة الدول التي يجب مقاطعتها دوليا لأنها ضربت الرقم القياسي فى العالم لعدد الحيوانات المصابة بالسعار.... السعار قد يصيب أي حيوان عدا الزواحف ذوي الدم البارد... يعني بقر، جاموس ، فئران و غيره!!!
هل الدولة قامت بالتصرف العلمي لحل هذه الظاهرة..؟ ما هو رأي المتخصصين فى البيئة و رجال الدين؟
شركة "اعمار" قامت بالبناء و تشييد منطقة سكنية حدثا بالمنطقة ترتب عليها هجر الحيوانات البرية للمنطقة و النزوح الي مناطق أخري.... ما الاجراءات التي اتخذها جهاز حماية شئون البيئة لحماية الحيوانات البرية التي جري هدم موائلها؟ أحمل هذه الشركة الأثار المترتبة علي القيام بتشييد منطقة سكنية فى هذه المنطقة و احملهم مسئولية ايجاد منطقة بديلة تنقل اليها الحيوانات البرية المصرية المنشأ.
أريد تفسيرا سليما: هل الاسلام دين الرحمة يبيح قتل الحيوان الضال المسالم؟ هل الشريعة كمصدر للدستور المصري تعني: ترخيص بقتل الحيوان الضال المسالم
سوءال لأخصائيين علي الحيوان – هل هناك كائن ما يمسي "السلعوة" !!!!!
الأطباء البيطريين ذوي القلب الرحيم و الخبرة.... تكلمت اليوم مع الدكتور حسن شفيق نائب رئيس الهيئة العامة للخدمات البطرية و شرحت له الموقف و أجاب بأن هناك حملات ضدهم و انهم لن يوقفوا هذه الحملات.... سألته هل ممكن لأطبائنا البيطريين الذين لديهم خبرة و رحمة مرافقة هذه الحملة للتأكيد علي ان ما يقتل مصاب بالسعار.... أجاب نعم.... انزلوا معاهم و شوروا ليهم فين المصاب السعار .... هل لي أن أطلب من أطباء بيطريين متطوعين ممثلين للمجتمع المدني المساعدة فى وقف هذه المذبجة و الابادة؟
Second meeting
at the city hall of Mokattam on 4th of March 2013
القاهرة في 4 مارس 2013
الموضوع: حملات الإبادة الجماعية للحيوانات الضالة بالمقطم التي تبناها رئاسة حي المقطم استاذ أشرف ربيع بالاشتراك مع مديرية الطب البيطري برئاسة دكتور سعاد الخولي و شرطة المرافق
بناء علي اجتماع 2 مارس 2013 و الذي تم فيه الاتفاق علي دعوة عامة للاجتماع من الأطراف المعنية سواء من المجتمع المدني أو الهيئات الحكومية المنوطة و الذي تم فيه الاتفاق علي اجتماع بتاريخ 4 مارس 2013 بحضور الأطراف المعنية خاصة جهاز حماية شئون البيئة و مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة
اجتمع كل من:
أستاذ: نائب رئيس حي المقطم
أستاذ مصطفي مرسي – سكرتير رئيس حي المقطم
دكتور ميلاد سيدهم – مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة
دكتور هشام صلاح – مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة
دكتور ماجدة موريس – مديرة طب بيطري القاهرة
أستاذ أحمد طه الجنايني – حملة أنا من المقطم
أستاذ عبد الستار راغب – حملة أنا من المقطم
أستاذ مصطفي الليثي – حملة أنا من المقطم
أستاذ شريف القاضي – رابطات حقوق الحيوان و التوعية
أستاذة نانسي زعزع – رابطات حقوق الحيوان و التوعية
أستاذه مونيكا أب – رابطات حقوق الحيوان و التوعية
أستاذه دينا ذوالفقار – رابطات حقوق الحيوان و التوعية
أستاذه............... – احد المتضررين من الكلاب الضالة
أستاذة................- احد المتضررين من الكلاب الضالة
تغيب:
دكتور : أيمن حمادة – ممثل لجهاز حماية شئون البيئة
في صالة اجتماعات مكتب رئيس حي المقطم أستاذ أشرف
تمت مناقشة الأتي
حالتي العقر التي تمت في منطقتين سكنيتين في المقطم.... حالة عقر الطفل البالغ 3 سنوات و حالة عقر طالبين
الحملات التي تقوم بها مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة و الأسلوب
عدم وجود أية إثبات قاطع بوجود حالات حيوانات مصابة "بالسعار" سواء حيوانات مستأنسة (قطط و كلاب" أو حيوانات برية (ثعالب و ذئاب).
ما تقوم به مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة هي حملات إبادة شاملة بناء علي شكاوي وصلت الإدارة و لا تفرقة بين المستأنس أو غيره
الأسلوب السليم العلمي لواجهة الظاهرة و أنسب الطرق بمعالجة الظاهرة بما يضمن سلامة الفرد و البيئة المحيطة
دور كل من الإرشاد البيطري و ناشطين حقوق الحيوان و المديرية و الحي و المجتمع المدني بالمقطم
تمت التوصية بالأتي:
1.
تكثيف حملات النظافة داخل المقطم
2.
توعية شاملة و كاملة يقوم بها المجتمع المدني بحي المقطم ممثل في "حملة أنا من المقطم) علي أن توفر المواد الخاصة للتوعية المتفق عليها و يقوم بطباعتها حملة أنا من المقطم. تم تسليم مطبوعة "بوستر" للتوعية لحملة أنا من المقطم" للاتسعمال فورا و تعهد الحاضرين بطباعة مطبوعات أخري ما أن يصلهم ملف الطباعة.
3.
الإرشاد البيطري بالاشتراك مع الناشطين في مجال حقوق الحيوان في البيئة البدء فورا بحملات توعية للمواطنين – تكثيف الحملات في المناطق المكتظة بالسكان و التي ورد منها شكاوي مثل منطقة 70 فدان ، الراس، صبحي حسين
4.
ترك موضوع التطعيم و الحد من التكاثر لمديرية طب بيطري القاهرة و رابطات حقوق الحيوان ) تفعيل دور الوحدة البيطرية بالمقطم و المكونة من 8 أطباء في عمليات الحد من التكاثر و التطعيم بالاشتراك مع المجتمع المدني بحيث: الوحدة البيطرية مجهزة تماما لإجراء عمليات حد من التكاثر و تطعيم... و بها أطباء مدربين و علي درجة عالية من التقنية ... إذا قامت رابطات حقوق الحيوان بتوفير "صياد" و عدد 3 "أقفاص" لفترة النقاهة بعد العمليات (جمعية أصدقاء الحيوان علي استعداد لتوفير هذا) و رابطات حقوق الحيوان علي استعداد لتوفير مستلزمات العمليات من خيط جراحي و خلافه – يتم البدء فورا في المنطقة المكتظة بالسكان "صبحي حسين" و تتم المتابعة من قبل المجتمع المدني في الحي و التعاون في هذا المشروع .. يقوم الحي بتوفير عربات النقل أو مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة. توضع علامات للحيوانات التي تم تطعيمها و و اخصائها بحيث تتابع متابعة دورية من الوحدات البيطرية و المجتمع المدني.
5.
تم الاتفاق بين مديرية طب بيطري القاهرة متمثلة في الحاضرين و رابطات حقوق الحيوان علي طباعة و مد المديرية بال 36 وحدة في أنحاء القاهرة بمواد التوعية لاستعمالها فورا. تم تسليم مطبوعتين "بوستر" كنموذج.
6.
بناء علي ما سبق تعهد سكرتير الحي بالتدرج في تكثيف الحملات بناء علي ما يقوم به الحاضرين من جهود عملية فيما اتفق عليه من بنود إلي أن يتم رفعه تماما إذا ما أفلحت هذه الجهود
Below, pictures of the meeting - Photograph: Sherif El Kady
It was a meeting with top district officials, including the Cairo Governorate Vet Office, as well as Mokkatam Civialian Organisation representatives to stop the senseless and random killing of straying animals in Mokkatam district.
All parties have been very cooperative and will work in tandem to preserve the ecology of the district based on scientifically and humanely approved methods.
Besides dogs, Mokkatam has other wildlife species that need to be handled in a professional and scientific manner.
Mass, senseless and random killing is not the solution. A long road and very hard work awaits them but all have unanimously agreed on the principles and recommendations brought forward during this fruitful meeting. (Text: Sherif El Kady)
All parties have been very cooperative and will work in tandem to preserve the ecology of the district based on scientifically and humanely approved methods.
Besides dogs, Mokkatam has other wildlife species that need to be handled in a professional and scientific manner.
Mass, senseless and random killing is not the solution. A long road and very hard work awaits them but all have unanimously agreed on the principles and recommendations brought forward during this fruitful meeting. (Text: Sherif El Kady)
Next picture: GOVS Dr. Milad Sidhom, Dr. Magda Morise
Below - left picture: A lady living in Mokattam claims that packs of dogs attacked her and her child, without an reason.
Dina explained that it's not logical and that dogs would never attack people without reason. Dina tried to explain why dogs attack and how to prevent being bitten but the lady simply believes that dogs eat humans. This is due because of lack of official statements by GOVS telling people that dogs do NOT eat people and that no rabies infected dogs have been found in Mokattam and surroundings to date.
Right picture: one of the ladies who has compounds in Mokattam and who seemed to be open minded. She tried to understand and at the end she stated: "we care about people, we do not care about animals"
Dina responded: "We care about ALL! A healthy environment which means healthy people. God created men, animals, and plants to share the air, the water, and the soil. See the story of Noah - from EACH kind two!"
Dina explained that it's not logical and that dogs would never attack people without reason. Dina tried to explain why dogs attack and how to prevent being bitten but the lady simply believes that dogs eat humans. This is due because of lack of official statements by GOVS telling people that dogs do NOT eat people and that no rabies infected dogs have been found in Mokattam and surroundings to date.
Right picture: one of the ladies who has compounds in Mokattam and who seemed to be open minded. She tried to understand and at the end she stated: "we care about people, we do not care about animals"
Dina responded: "We care about ALL! A healthy environment which means healthy people. God created men, animals, and plants to share the air, the water, and the soil. See the story of Noah - from EACH kind two!"
Next picture: The wounded child in the media.
The local media are equally (next to GOVS) responsible for the mass extermination of free roaming dogs because they just add fuel to the fire. Their claims are without any scientific basis and without any specific analysis of the cause. An incident that did probably happen because of lack of awareness and education is NOT an incident - it only puts pressure on GOVS and the government.
In Cairo, Dr. Milad Sidhom, Dr. Hisham Salah, Dr. Magda (GOVS) showed understanding; however the pressure from media and civil society makes them kill instead of acting in the right direction.
The local media are equally (next to GOVS) responsible for the mass extermination of free roaming dogs because they just add fuel to the fire. Their claims are without any scientific basis and without any specific analysis of the cause. An incident that did probably happen because of lack of awareness and education is NOT an incident - it only puts pressure on GOVS and the government.
In Cairo, Dr. Milad Sidhom, Dr. Hisham Salah, Dr. Magda (GOVS) showed understanding; however the pressure from media and civil society makes them kill instead of acting in the right direction.
Next picture: Abd Elstar Ragheb representing the campaign of "I am from Mokattam" said: "kill, burn, mince the dogs, but find us a solution!!!"
Dina Zulfikar:
"I am a Moslim and what I understand is that Islam is a religion which calls for mercy to all living beings.
What I don't understand is the current practice of Egyptian Authorities; the mass cull of roaming dogs, cats, and the destruction of the habitats of wolves and foxes, etc...
I understand that dogs and cats have been domesticated since long; I understand that Islam, Azhar had special facility to provide water and food for free roaming dogs and cats; I understand the Quran verse which states that animals feel like us and are nations, but what I fail to understand is: the Egyptian Constitution and Shariaa contradict itself. Shariaa is the base of the Egyptian Constitution and I want an explanation: since the free roaming dogs or cats are domesticated and peaceful, why is the massive cull campaign taking place all over Egypt? I want to understand what Islam calls for???"
"I am a Moslim and what I understand is that Islam is a religion which calls for mercy to all living beings.
What I don't understand is the current practice of Egyptian Authorities; the mass cull of roaming dogs, cats, and the destruction of the habitats of wolves and foxes, etc...
I understand that dogs and cats have been domesticated since long; I understand that Islam, Azhar had special facility to provide water and food for free roaming dogs and cats; I understand the Quran verse which states that animals feel like us and are nations, but what I fail to understand is: the Egyptian Constitution and Shariaa contradict itself. Shariaa is the base of the Egyptian Constitution and I want an explanation: since the free roaming dogs or cats are domesticated and peaceful, why is the massive cull campaign taking place all over Egypt? I want to understand what Islam calls for???"
A message from Dina to ALL people and animal rights activists of Egypt:
"We will fail! This issue of mass killing taking place over Egypt has to be dealt with centrally, I mean: with the General Organization of Veterinary Services - a meeting has to be held there.
GOVS have to provide clear messages to the public. The killing is not taking place because there are rabies infected animals, but they do it in response to campaigns. We must go and meet, and sit with GOVS in presence of media and all stakeholders. We must show the facts and cooperate in order to reach solutions which guarantee safety of people and environment according to science, religion and mercy...
Animal People of Egypt: saying "help" is not helping. You all are invited and called to act positively. Are you ready? If so, when???"
"We will fail! This issue of mass killing taking place over Egypt has to be dealt with centrally, I mean: with the General Organization of Veterinary Services - a meeting has to be held there.
GOVS have to provide clear messages to the public. The killing is not taking place because there are rabies infected animals, but they do it in response to campaigns. We must go and meet, and sit with GOVS in presence of media and all stakeholders. We must show the facts and cooperate in order to reach solutions which guarantee safety of people and environment according to science, religion and mercy...
Animal People of Egypt: saying "help" is not helping. You all are invited and called to act positively. Are you ready? If so, when???"
Government vets shoot and poison stray dogs, angering animal welfare activists
An article published in Egypt Independent, March 28, 2013
After stray dogs violently attacked two children in Moqattam last month, their families pressured the local veterinary council to put an end to the problem by poisoning the animals with strychnine — a deadly pesticide.
As a lethal product, strychnine should not be deposited at random, as it can also threaten residents’ health. In addition, prominent welfare activists like Dina Zulfikar criticized the council for not analyzing the area to determine exactly which animals were roaming Moqattam’s streets, since wild protected species like foxes could perish as well.
The General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS), the body responsible for addressing the stray dog problem, is known for systematically poisoning and shooting street animals to deal with the issue. Within two weeks of the mass killing campaign, 156 strays from the area had died.
Hassan Shafiq, one of the media coordinators at the veterinary organization, a body that falls under Agriculture Ministry, says the GOVS is simply doing its job.
The mission of the GOVS’s trained veterinarians is to curb the growing number of stray animals roaming the streets of Cairo and other big cities.
“We believe our priority is protecting human beings,” he tells Egypt Independent.
“We do not have any statistics on the numbers of strays,” he adds. “We brought specialists to start a count in greater Cairo and the final results were 35,000 dogs. However, these numbers cannot be verified.”
Shafiq says the organization sometimes works in collaboration with police to shoot dogs.
But animal rights activists voice frustration about the cruelty and inefficiency of these techniques to control the stray animal population.
“These veterinarians shamelessly go against the whole essence of their work,” Zulfikar says.
For Mona Khalil, chairperson of the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals, strays actually provide a service for the residents of major cities.
“They are very useful in diminishing the ferret and rat population, and their ongoing extermination has already created an imbalance in the environment,” she says.
For animal activists, instead of trying to exterminate street animals, the GOVS should focus on keeping the population in check by launching spaying and neutering programs.
She says using expensive poisons like strychnine and sending teams of vets to get rid of stray animals is nothing more than a waste of public funding.
“If poisoning and shooting strays was a successful approach to the problem, then the issue would be sorted by now,” says Khalil.
But Shafiq says the GOVS does not have the money for alternative methods.
“We are looking into neutering and spaying, but we are not equipped to do so and we don’t have the funds for it,” Shafiq says.
And few Egyptians feel the same way about protecting the nation’s stray animals. In fact, some residents take matters into their own hands and kill strays themselves, using similar methods as the GOVS, or worse.
Ahmed al-Kabani is a veterinarian who works in a private clinic in Qattamiya that also treats stray dogs.
“People tend to call authorities to demand the killing of dogs in their area,” he says.
If they don’t get an answer, they resort to their own methods.
“We have had some cases of dogs being fed balls of meat filled with ground-up pieces of glass, which is extremely painful and fatal to animals,” he says.
To change people’s minds, activists say they want to work with government officials to create a nationwide awareness campaign calling on veterinarians to begin a neutering program for strays.
“Funding is not the issue. Money just needs to be shifted from expensive strychnine poisons to paying professional veterinarians,” says Zulfikar.
However, veterinary schools must also begin teaching students about compassion and how to think about the welfare of animals, Khalil says.
“Getting a degree here is just about memorizing for tests, and practical lab experiments [that] inflict tremendous pain on animals,” says Khalil.
She adds that such mistreatment often rids future veterinarians of their compassion for animals.
“This puts shame on the medical profession and ultimately creates robots with no mercy,” Khalil says.
Zulfikar adds that Dar al-Ifta issued a fatwa in 2008 stating that police and others should not kill stray dogs because it violates Sharia.
“It is the role of educators and civil society to instill compassion in future generations, as well as guidelines on how to understand and to treat animals properly,” she asserts.
This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.
As a lethal product, strychnine should not be deposited at random, as it can also threaten residents’ health. In addition, prominent welfare activists like Dina Zulfikar criticized the council for not analyzing the area to determine exactly which animals were roaming Moqattam’s streets, since wild protected species like foxes could perish as well.
The General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS), the body responsible for addressing the stray dog problem, is known for systematically poisoning and shooting street animals to deal with the issue. Within two weeks of the mass killing campaign, 156 strays from the area had died.
Hassan Shafiq, one of the media coordinators at the veterinary organization, a body that falls under Agriculture Ministry, says the GOVS is simply doing its job.
The mission of the GOVS’s trained veterinarians is to curb the growing number of stray animals roaming the streets of Cairo and other big cities.
“We believe our priority is protecting human beings,” he tells Egypt Independent.
“We do not have any statistics on the numbers of strays,” he adds. “We brought specialists to start a count in greater Cairo and the final results were 35,000 dogs. However, these numbers cannot be verified.”
Shafiq says the organization sometimes works in collaboration with police to shoot dogs.
But animal rights activists voice frustration about the cruelty and inefficiency of these techniques to control the stray animal population.
“These veterinarians shamelessly go against the whole essence of their work,” Zulfikar says.
For Mona Khalil, chairperson of the Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals, strays actually provide a service for the residents of major cities.
“They are very useful in diminishing the ferret and rat population, and their ongoing extermination has already created an imbalance in the environment,” she says.
For animal activists, instead of trying to exterminate street animals, the GOVS should focus on keeping the population in check by launching spaying and neutering programs.
She says using expensive poisons like strychnine and sending teams of vets to get rid of stray animals is nothing more than a waste of public funding.
“If poisoning and shooting strays was a successful approach to the problem, then the issue would be sorted by now,” says Khalil.
But Shafiq says the GOVS does not have the money for alternative methods.
“We are looking into neutering and spaying, but we are not equipped to do so and we don’t have the funds for it,” Shafiq says.
And few Egyptians feel the same way about protecting the nation’s stray animals. In fact, some residents take matters into their own hands and kill strays themselves, using similar methods as the GOVS, or worse.
Ahmed al-Kabani is a veterinarian who works in a private clinic in Qattamiya that also treats stray dogs.
“People tend to call authorities to demand the killing of dogs in their area,” he says.
If they don’t get an answer, they resort to their own methods.
“We have had some cases of dogs being fed balls of meat filled with ground-up pieces of glass, which is extremely painful and fatal to animals,” he says.
To change people’s minds, activists say they want to work with government officials to create a nationwide awareness campaign calling on veterinarians to begin a neutering program for strays.
“Funding is not the issue. Money just needs to be shifted from expensive strychnine poisons to paying professional veterinarians,” says Zulfikar.
However, veterinary schools must also begin teaching students about compassion and how to think about the welfare of animals, Khalil says.
“Getting a degree here is just about memorizing for tests, and practical lab experiments [that] inflict tremendous pain on animals,” says Khalil.
She adds that such mistreatment often rids future veterinarians of their compassion for animals.
“This puts shame on the medical profession and ultimately creates robots with no mercy,” Khalil says.
Zulfikar adds that Dar al-Ifta issued a fatwa in 2008 stating that police and others should not kill stray dogs because it violates Sharia.
“It is the role of educators and civil society to instill compassion in future generations, as well as guidelines on how to understand and to treat animals properly,” she asserts.
This piece was originally published in Egypt Independent's weekly print edition.