By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

With the development of cities, stray animals have become one of the most serious public management problems, and a widespread concern by the public.

Stray animals have many negative impacts on city environment and human health: they are carriers of various infectious diseases, including rabies; individual packs of dogs regularly attack passers-by, frighten children and sometimes cause traffic accident.

Main options to deal with stray dogs mainly include: sheltering, vaccinating and neutering, non-governmental rescue actions and programs. Although, there were created several shelters for homeless animals, including IDEA Animal Care Center, the danger of such incidents remains acute.

Most recently the attack of stray dog resulted in death of a five-year-old Zeynab Mikailzade in Sumgayit city. The girl was playing in the yard when she was knocked down, and then bitten by the sick animal. The girl was taken to the hospital, but her life could not be saved.

Following the rising concern and frequent cases with stray animal attacks, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to take matters into its own hands.    

The issue of combating stray animals and forthcoming preventive measures were the main topic of a meeting held at the Cabinet on August 23 with participation of relevant authorities.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov, addressing the event, noted that a problem of homeless animals exists in many countries around the world.

Stressing that the relevant structures should take serious steps to protect public health and isolate stray animals that are carriers of viruses, Ahmadov called for learning from experience of leading countries.

"Azerbaijan has joined the European Convention for the Protection of Pets. It is necessary to create shelters for stray animals, vaccinate them, take appropriate measures to prevent diseases that they can spread," Ahmadov said.

The meeting participants stressed the importance of conducting educational work among the population for a radical solution of the problem, wide involvement of the press in this issue.

Referring to the death of little Zeynab in Sumgayit, the deputy prime minister noted that this issue should be seriously investigated.

The meeting participants agreed to develop a package of proposals to take this issue under control and take preventive measures.