(haipo) - Recently, reports were published in the various media, according to which, apparently, the Ministry of Agriculture offers to grant a financial reward of 150 shekels for killing stray dogs that have infiltrated Israeli territory since the outbreak of the war.
The Ministry of Agriculture denies these things completely and claims that they have no clue. The ministry also says that the publications do not at all reflect the policy or the action plan that was recently launched to deal with the phenomenon of stray dogs.
Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture announced the allocation of a dedicated budget of NIS 8.1 million to deal with the phenomenon of stray dogs in the local authorities along the conflict lines, in the north and south. The budget, according to the ministry, is intended to ensure the health of the public, the health and well-being of animals, and to enable actions such as collecting stray dogs, rehabilitating them, sterilizing and neutering them, and transferring them to responsible owners for adoption.
The Ministry of Agriculture explains that since October 7, there has been a sharp increase in the number of stray dogs in areas near the border, especially in the Takuma region and the northern border areas. These dogs, which are sometimes as enthusiastic as a pack of wolves, pose a danger to public and animal health, cause environmental and property damage, and even expose themselves to the dangers of nature.
The lack of veterinary supervision of the stray dogs increases the risk of the spread of infectious diseases such as rabies, brucellosis, distemper and parasitic worms. The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that dogs that cannot be rehabilitated or captured are treated professionally while minimizing suffering.
Oded stated that within the framework of the budget it will be possible to support diverse actions including: collecting stray dogs and transferring them to kennels, diagnosis, rehabilitation and sterilization of dogs that can be adopted, funding for behavioral training to prepare the dogs for new homes, outreach activities to increase awareness of the responsibility of dog ownership and maintaining public sanitation,
Improving sanitation conditions in settlements and their surroundings.
Dr. Tamir Geshen, Director of Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Agriculture:
"The phenomenon of stray dogs is a wide-ranging problem that affects the security of citizens and even IDF soldiers. The dedicated budget allows for an immediate and comprehensive response to the authorities on the conflict lines, while examining additional solutions later on."
The Ministry of Agriculture emphasizes that the plan is designed to provide an answer for the years 2024-2025 and will improve the local authorities' dealings with the phenomenon, alongside strengthening cooperation between government ministries.
In response to a question about killing dogs for NIS 150, apparently an offer that was not mentioned in the plan or included in the budget, the Ministry of Agriculture informed us that there is no such offer.
The Ministry of Agriculture informed Lahi Pa:
"The phenomenon of stray dogs in the areas near the border fence, and in particular in the Takuma area, has increased greatly since October 7, but even on the northern border there is an infiltration of stray and sick dogs into the nearby settlements, many of which have been evacuated. These are thousands of dogs that roam public space, rabid in large groups like a pack of wolves and are a clear and immediate danger to public health and the health of other animals, cause damage to the environment, property and expose themselves to environmental hazards, to diseases, to hunger and thirst.
There is no reliable numerical estimate of the number of feral dogs that have entered Israel since the beginning of the war, mainly due to the difficulty in quality monitoring during wartime and in areas of fire. Estimates range from several hundred to several thousand dogs, but due to the broken borders with Gaza and Lebanon, the movement of the dogs is not restricted and the estimates are that some of them move in and out of the country, and some have assimilated with stray dog populations that already existed in Israel.
It was also reported that from observations made in the field, testimonies of residents and unfortunate cases of attack and predation, it appears that these are feral dogs, that is, stray dogs that have not been socialized with humans at critical stages in their lives, are not used to their company and lead a semi-feral lifestyle, in which they feed on game or leftovers Food and garbage. These dogs may prey on wild animals, domestic and farm animals as well as humans.
In addition, due to the lack of veterinary supervision of these dogs, a situation of close encounters between animals of different types is created, thereby increasing the fear of infection and spread of diseases that pose a real danger to the health of the public and the health of the animals. Among the diseases we can mention rabies, brucellosis in dogs, mouse ringworm (Leptospira), intestinal and tissue worms (such as Echinococcus) and more.
To ensure public health along with the health and well-being of animals, the Ministry of Agriculture assists the local authorities in treating dogs caught in their territory. This, after the ministry researched and studied the issue in other countries of the world, consulted with experts in the field and with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) which is responsible for the health and welfare of stray dogs. The ministry allocates dedicated support in the amount of millions of shekels to the authorities along the border lines, for the treatment of dogs in extensive aspects, including: capturing the dogs, rehabilitating them (health and behavior), spaying/neutering them and handing them over for adoption, to the extent the possible
At the same time, the office tries to give the authorities a holistic and broad response to the treatment of the phenomenon, which includes not only the treatment of the dogs, but also the removal of garbage sources and the improvement of sanitation in the authorities, monitoring and tracking of dogs in the area, sampling for diseases and Information activity on responsible ownership and public sanitation. Feral dogs that are not suitable for adoption due to their aggressive behavior or health condition or that cannot be caught, will be put down while minimizing suffering for them and their environment.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will continue to assist the local authorities in every aspect that it can in order to maintain the health of the public and the health of the animals."
As someone who is involved in the issue of trying to cancel the killing of the dogs, unfortunately, in a word, the Ministry of Agriculture is not telling the truth.
I am attaching here the "summons", which was sent to the authorities and it is written explicitly on page 8, section 7.4 that for every dog that is reported to have been killed, they will receive 150 NIS. Black and white proof of the Ministry of Agriculture's attempt to pretend and even lie. about that
Another note, among other accusations that the Ministry of Agriculture accuses the stray dogs of spreading bacteria and infectious diseases. Human rights activists in Israel know how to tell from experience in the field and I also know that there are many pirate breeders who sell purebred dogs for thousands of shekels, who do not care about the health of the mother and the puppies who are sold with serious diseases, some of which are dangerous to humans. The Ministry of Agriculture does almost nothing against the pirate breeders who manage to sell sick dogs.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Chief Veterinarian are waving a lot of money and programs that unfortunately are not being used correctly, therefore there are no new kennels and there is no care and treatment for the dogs' damaged existence.
In conclusion, as the State Comptroller wrote about the Ministry of Agriculture, there are departments that need to be closed and re-established without all the corruption and failure of sustainability.
But why put pictures of dogs that are considered dangerous?? To normalize the idea of shooting among the Israeli public? And a dog baring its teeth. The dogs that want to kill are neither pit bulls nor rottweilers. And not necessarily rabies patients.
you are right By the way, the death by poison. horror