&host=www.rt.com&uri=/news/slaughterhouse-n-dogs-crusade/comments/&via=1.1 8.27.241.153:80 (Footprint 4.8/FPMCP)&ua=CCBot/1.0 (+http://www.commoncrawl.org/bot.html))
Slaughterhouse-N, or the Dogs Crusade
Published: 17 January, 2010, 14:39
Edited: 13 September, 2010, 22:32
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.
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.
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.
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.