Sochi 2014: Stray dog cull sparks controversyExtermination of Sochi’s large stray dog population on eve of Olympics enrages animal rights groups.
Alexander Zemlianichenko / The Associated Press file
A stray dog and puppy sit behind railings outside Sochi, Russia.
By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Sun Feb 02 2014
The local chapter of the World Society for the Protection of Animals has joined animal rights and citizens’ groups around the world in calling for an end to mass killings of stray dogs in Sochi, orchestrated by officials intent on “cleaning” up the city for the Olympics.
“We’re concerned to hear about the dog culls in Sochi . . . these mass killings are cruel, ineffective and unnecessary,” spokesperson Elizabeth Sharpe said from the WSPA’s Toronto office Sunday.
“Only formalized vaccination, sterilization and responsible pet ownership programs can effectively and humanely control dog populations in the long-term.”
Last year, Sochi authorities cancelled a program to kill off more than 2,000 stray dogs and cats, but reports including video clips have surfaced of stray dog killings in the city at night.
“I am for the right of people to walk the streets without fear of being attacked by packs of dogs,” Alexei Sorokin, the owner of a Sochi extermination company, told ABC News. “Let’s call things by their real name. These dogs are biological trash.”
Some reports indicate that local citizens not part of extermination companies — lured by cash incentives from Sochi organizers — have joined in on the cull through a trap-and-poison program. Last April, Sochi authorities offered 1.7 million rubles — just under $50,000 — for the extermination of 2,000 dogs and cats, saying it would improve the city’s image as an Olympic host.
Animal rights groups say most dogs are being trapped, then taken to zones outside the city where they are being beaten to death or killed with poison meat and guns.
“We have heard that many citizen groups and local animal welfare organizations are vocally against this practice in Russia,” Sharpe said.
“We would welcome the opportunity to discuss collaborative efforts with local groups and International bodies like the IOC to make sure Governments preparing for future events like this use humane population management, not mass killing.”
Sorokin told ABC News that roving packs of dogs pose a threat to spectators and athletes alike — he gave the example of a dog jumping out in front of a ski jumper — while local residents said the dogs are hurting the city’s image. There has been some suggestion that many dogs are turned loose on the streets because owners can’t afford to have them neutered.
According to Sharpe, rabies fears have been cited as a reason for killing off dogs in many cities.
Sharpe and others have countered that Sochi needs an animal shelter/rescue centre and cheaper sterilization programs.
Before the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing organized the killing off of stray cats.
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