The subject ofstray and neglected dogs is still the talk of town and people's attention. ThePublic Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) recentlyissued a statement on its plans to conduct a campaign to neuter stray dogs.This decision raised a debate in the community and social media amid questionsabout the ability of the authority to reach all dogs, especially male ones, andthe cost of the spaying operations that may reach KD 2 million.
There were alsodifferent opinions on the best way to deal with stray dogs - there were callsto kill them, house them in private places, activate the law of import andacquisition, or transfer some of them abroad.
I have written inprevious articles on animal rights, but today I would also like to speak aboutthe important role of animal rights advocates, because they are the mechanismthat can change the culture of society and support the government's decision toprotect the animals from potential harm, whether by neglect by their owners orbeing abandoned on the streets to be sick and hungry and cause harm tothemselves and others.
Dogs might beabandoned by their owners for various reasons, such as travelling abroad andtheir inability to take their pets with him, or negligence, where some peoplefind that the animal, whether a cat or a dog, needs continuous care andattention, so they find it easier to leave them in the street.
There are severalways to deal with neglected dogs. In some developed countries, animal welfareassociations use volunteers. Here, animal rights advocates, veterinarians andvolunteers work to provide shelters for these animals. This must be handled ina gentle, compassionate and legal manner acceptable by the World Organizationfor Animal Health (OIE).
The spayingshould be done by a government agency, because the average price in privatehospitals for neutering dogs is around KD 100, and with the announcement byPAAAFR that the campaign will target 20,000 dogs, it means it needs KD 2million to implement it in a proper manner.
Director ofAl-Dahma Veterinary Hospital Sultan Al-Awad told the local press that only fiveveterinary hospitals are accredited in Kuwait, catering to animal breeders andpet owners. He pointed out that charges for removing the testicles of dogsdiffers from one hospital to another, calling on everyone to pay attention totheir animals' health to prevent the spread of diseases, which may affect thosewho are close to them. He also stressed that prices vary according to servicesprovided and experience.
I think this isbest way to reduce the numbers of stray dogs, and better than the use of poisonand weapons that made Kuwait face criticism for animal rights violations. Theauthorities in some countries are demanding that those arriving with pets haveto possess a travel document for the animal showing its vaccination history tobe allowed to enter.
I think theresponsible body for the issue should be PAAAFR and the Department of AnimalHealth, to provide the necessary resources. The government should set a budgetfor this issue and act seriously and continuously to protect neglected andstray animals.
Muna Al-Fuzai
muna@kuwaittimes.net