The head of the Animal Welfare Association in Cairo, Shehab Eddin Abdel-Hamid warned that the number of stray dogs on Egypt’s streets is rapidly increasing at a rate of 10 to 20 percent annually.
During a phone interview on the “Hadith al-Qahera” (Cairo Talk) program, Abdel-Hamid emphasized that delaying action on this crisis will only worsen the problem.
He called for immediate action no matter the difficulties, and further cooperation between government agencies, civil society organizations, and animal rights advocates to reach solutions that both protect citizens and animals.
Abdel-Hamid added that the stray dog crisis is linked to two main factors: the significant increase in their numbers and that some people feed them regularly within residential neighborhoods, which leads them to settle in specific areas instead of moving around naturally.
Feeding stray dogs alters their natural behavior, he noted, making them less active and more attached to their food sources. This can lead to aggressive behavior when hungry or when interacting with children, contributing to an increase in dog bites.
In order to address this crisis, Abdel-Hamid explained that scientific and organized solutions are required.
The current approach focuses on establishing specialized shelters outside urban centers, thus achieving a balance between protecting citizens and preserving animal rights.
The plan involves collecting stray dogs from populated areas and transferring them to shelters equipped with modern methods for their care.
Abdel-Hamid said that new cities and desert hinterland areas offer suitable land for establishing dog shelters away from residential areas, thereby minimizing direct contact between animals and residents.
