OIPA ETS has sent a formal letter to the competent Egyptian authorities expressing profound concern and dismay over recurring reports concerning the treatment of stray dogs in different parts of the country. The organisation has called for urgent investigations and for the effective implementation of humane, science-based measures for stray-animal management.
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.
