The Legislative Assembly of Buryatia allowed the euthanasia of stray animals – Kommersant

The People’s Khural (legislative assembly) of Buryatia adopted a law that allows the euthanasia of homeless animals. To do this, an unchipped animal must be recognized as “unclaimed” (it will not be taken from the temporary holding facility 30 days in advance). Euthanasia is permitted in a number of other cases. RIA Novosti was informed about this by the press service of the khural.

Euthanasia of a homeless animal is permitted if:

• it experiences unbearable physical suffering;
• he has incurable consequences of an acute injury that are incompatible with life;
• the animal has been diagnosed with a disease dangerous to humans or other animals;
• the animal poses a danger to humans and shows signs of unmotivated aggressiveness;
• the animal attacked a person (this fact must be proven by a statement from the victim and the organizations that received him);
• the animal was recognized as “unclaimed”: that is, during 30 calendar days of stay in temporary detention centers, it was not taken by individuals or legal entities.

If the animal is microchipped or has a tag, after three days in a temporary holding facility it will be sent to a shelter for 60 days to find its previous or new owners. Shelters can keep stray animals without time limits at their own expense.

The explanatory note states that the killing of animals without owners was allowed because the current system of “capture-sterilization-vaccination-return” has “a number of shortcomings and requires significant material costs.” It is argued that the amendments will help ensure the safety of the population, as well as “the humane treatment of animals, which will reduce emerging social tensions among the population.”

Deputy head of the Veterinary Department of Buryatia Dmitry Kalugin said in October of this year that every day there are up to two dog attacks on people on the streets of Ulan-Ude.

In July, Russia adopted a federal law that allows regions to set their own rules for the treatment of stray animals. Discussion of the amendments began after in April, a pack of stray dogs mauled to death second-grader Maxim, who was walking near his house on the outskirts of Orenburg.

Anastasia Larina