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Slaughterhouse-N, or the Dogs Crusade
Published: 17 January, 2010, 14:39
Edited: 13 September, 2010, 22:32
AFP Photo / Grigory Sobchenko
TAGS: Animals, Crime, Scandal, Russia, Hate crimes, Human rights, Law
Stray animals have long been an unpleasant reality in Moscow. Now some are trying to resolve the problem with massive killings right on the city’s streets.
The corpses of over 20 dogs were discovered recently at Izmaylovsky Park, east of Moscow, Channel 3 TV network reported.
A resident of the neighborhood said she was shocked when came to feed the puppies and found their dead bodies strewn all over the snow-covered meadow. She collected the bodies, but when she returned later to feed the surviving animals, she saw their dead bodies on the snow, too.
Another slaughter took place in Nizhnie Mnevniki, northwest of Moscow, where people armed with automatic and trauma guns went on shooting rampage, killing over 10 dogs, according to Channel 5.
Animal rights activists think it might be the same group of people, spreading violence around the city. They say they have found “animal extermination” forums on the Internet, in which members discuss the most efficient ways of poisoning and killing animals.
A criminal case into the Izmaylovsky incident has been opened based on testimonies of local residents and activists.
"Such killings could have been committed by mentally challenged people,” says Svetlana Gerasimova, coordinator for “VITA,” an animal rights protection center. “Only a person with psychic deviations could intentionally slaughter defenseless puppies. I’m scared we are living alongside such people. If we don’t punish them now – they’ll switch over to people.”
It’s been half a year since court proceedings against Dmitry Khudoyarov began at one of the Moscow’s district courts. Khudoyarov is charged with killing six dogs by shooting them from the window of his all-terrain vehicle. He could face up to six months in jail, a year of community service or a fine of up $3,000. However no verdict has yet been announced.
Criminal experts say such people are dangerous not only to animals but to society as a whole. According to research conducted by the Moscow Serbsky Institute for Social and Forensic Psychiatry, 85% of maniacs and serial killers started with torturing animals. Similar statistics have been produced by Scotland Yard.
Moscow has had a serious problem with stray animals for the past decade. The current number of stray dogs now stands at 25-30 thousand. They have been implicated in attacks on people and pets and are believed to carry contagious diseases.
The city government has implemented a “sterilize and release” tactic to prevent further breeding. In 2008 it allocated nearly 2.5 billion rubles ($84 million) to tackle the problem and in 2009 spent another 3 billion rubles ($100 million) on initiatives such as building new animal shelters.
But animal rights activists claim only 5% of stray dogs are sterilized annually. According to them, this indicates misuse of public funds and they have called for a criminal investigation into matter.
17.01.2010, 11:59
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This may break heart strings, but stray dogs ARE a problem. They need to be dealt with in a way that is humane. Either through capture and adoption programs, or humanely put to sleep if they aren't able to be socialized with humans. Before people get upset. Near my own home there is a wild pack of dogs that attack cars and people. Each year they breed and have more dogs. They grow hungry and feed mostly from the trash. I've been attacked once by this pack. Almost all street dogs are friendly to me and have followed me and I specifically went into stores to by some food for them. However, leaving them on streets, they will go wild and create a dangerous packs like the one near my home. Cruelty is not an answer, but something does need to be done for safety of pedestrians.
My God, that's one of the most heartbreaking and disturbing example of animal cruelty I've read in a long time. Those responsible should be sent to Siberia and locked under the jail. Spay/Neuter programs and more animal shelters are desperately needed everywhere in the world. People need to take responsibility for their own pets by spaying and neutering and we need to shut down puppy mills. There are so many unwanted animals the world over but this cruelty needs to be stopped immediately.
The problem of stray dogs in Moscow is not a new one. This situation has been prevalent for many years and has been addressed by the local government in many ways. Their decision to participate in an active sterilisation programme was a giant step forward compared to the poisioning and shooting of animals which had been reported in the past. It is true that a humane process must be adopted with the understanding that the control of an overpopulation of companion animals can only be assured through sterilisation and vaccination of animals linked with a proactive adoption and education programme. As an international animal welfare organisation we have been working in Moscow for many years and with the local municipalities to encourage them to adopt these schemes. The use of shelters is only applicable when an efficient adoption programme is in place. Trap-Neuter-Release programmes are very efficient when this is not apparent at reducing the numbers of animals over time. However, a very high percentage of the animals must be neutered in order for this process to be successful. The authorities must take note of these killings and be aware that this may continue if they are not seen to be offering a viable alternative. We will continue to work with the Moscow City Government for the better welfare of the animals.