Does Egypt need an animal welfare law?
The Egyptian Veterinarians Syndicate is drafting the first animal welfare law in Egypt, but some worry the parliament won't take it seriously and will disregard it as an unnecessary luxury.
CAIRO — The Egyptian Veterinarians Syndicate announced in a press statement Oct. 30 that it is in the process of drafting provisions for what it hopes will become Egypt's first animal welfare law. Many Egyptians wonder whether parliament will even entertain the idea of such legislation or dismiss it outright as one of the luxuries that Egypt can do without, despite there being some economic repercussions.
In 2015, news reports and video footage emerged of a restrained dog being killed by a group of butchers, who attacked the dog with knives. The incident came to be known as Dog al-Ahram. Due to pressure by social media users and animals’ rights groups, the offenders were tried and sentenced to three years, sparking wide controversy. The incident also shed light on the absence of a law regulating animal rights in Egypt.
