The Egyptian parliament intends to discuss a parliamentary inquiry regarding the export of stray dogs, after presenting it to a scientific committee of experts and university professors, on condition that dogs be exported “for breeding purposes, not for slaughter.”
The Veterinary Services Authority were notified of the parliamentary inquiry.
The head of the Central Administration for Public Health at the Authority, Ayman Mahrous, commented that “there is no objection to exporting the dogs in accordance with international standards for the export of live animals.”
Mahrous said that presenting the matter to the scientific committee, which is responsible for approving export or import permits for live animals, including dogs, will provide the precise and practical opinion that determines the conditions for export.
The head of the Animal Welfare Association in Cairo, Shehab Eddin Abdel-Hamid, announced his support for the demands of some members of parliament in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to explore the possibility of exporting live dogs abroad, as part of a commitment to cooperating with the state to address the stray dog crisis.
He indicated that the association approves exporting dogs abroad, in accordance with the established conditions, to curb their “unjustified” increase in numbers on city streets.
Conditions
Abdel-Hamid said that international laws do not prohibit exporting live dogs and approve it under certain international conditions and standards.
He explained that these conditions include the requirement that the dog possess a health certificate, has been vaccinated and sterilized, and is free from epidemic and viral diseases, and a certificate to this effect must be issued by the Veterinary Services Authority for each animal being exported or imported from abroad.
Abdel-Hamid pointed out the importance of the state supporting procedures for approving the export of stray dogs abroad, similar to the procedures for importing premium dog breeds, as international laws do not prohibit this.
He noted that, “Unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals are profiting from the increasing number of stray dogs, particularly through an international trade that relies on exporting their blood in bags at a price reaching $500 per half liter.”
Abdel-Hamid explained that the continued tendency of some to profit from the proliferation of stray dogs comes at the expense of society and the state, with the aim of achieving the highest financial return.
He continued, “There is an international mafia involved in the trade of dog blood, and this group is using this as leverage to maintain the current situation in order to serve its interests, turning Egypt into a hub for exporting this blood.”
