The Director General of the General Administration for Licensing and Dealing with Dangerous Animals at the Egyptian Agriculture Ministry, Hind al-Sheikh, debunked claims of there being “50 million dogs” in Egypt and warned against spreading misinformation.
During a Friday phone interview on the “al-Hekaya” (The Story) show, hosted by Amr Adib on MBC Masr, Sheikh noted that the presence of domestic dogs helps protect citizens from other dangers, such as reptiles and other pests.
She added that dogs have been present in Egypt since the time of the Pharaohs, reflecting that addressing this issue requires time and comprehensive plans, not quick fixes.
Dogs play a protective role, Sheikh added, explaining that kidnapping and other crimes are less likely to occur in areas with domesticated dogs.
She said, “The dog is a nocturnal creature, and sleeps for about 18 hours if it is well-fed, especially in winter. It may spend most of the day sleeping, then it takes on the role of protection at night.”
A Unified National Plan
Sheikh affirmed that the state is implementing a unified national plan to manage the issue of stray animals, including free-roaming dogs, in coordination with all relevant authorities.
She emphasized that Agriculture Ministry is adopting long-term, scientific solutions to protect citizens and achieve health and environmental security.
Sheikh said that the stray dog issue is part of an integrated strategy implemented by the veterinary sector.
She explained that the goal is to unify the efforts of relevant authorities and prevent conflicting decisions in dealing with this issue.
The ministry is addressing the issue with a comprehensive and multifaceted approach, she assured, stressing that protecting citizens is a priority and that the problem is being addressed through sustainable solutions, not temporary measures.
Controlling The Dog Population
Sheikh said that the ministry has begun controlling the dog population through vaccination, screening, sterilization, and subsequent release, emphasizing that sterilized dogs become docile and capable of coexisting with the community.
“We are handling this issue decisively, protecting the community from risks, and relying on studies to develop comprehensive plans,” she assured, noting that this stray animal crisis requires time to be addressed comprehensively.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
