Animal Rights Advocate Calls for Urgent Action on Lebanon's Stray Dog Problem

Animal welfare advocate Ghina Nahfawi has underscored the urgency of addressing Lebanon's stray dog crisis, attributing its deterioration to insufficient oversight and inaction by responsible government bodies.

Speaking on RED TV's "3:15" program, Nahfawi highlighted the role of individuals who breed aggressive dogs for illegal betting operations, asserting they must face legal consequences. She characterized the state's response as inadequate, stating that government institutions have failed to fulfill their obligations in tackling this issue.

Nahfawi expressed appreciation for Agriculture Minister Dr. Nizar Hani's introduction of the National TNVR plan, while placing responsibility on municipalities that have declined to participate in the initiative. She emphasized that local authorities must strengthen oversight of unlicensed pet shops operating outside Ministry of Agriculture regulations and enforce penalties against non-compliant businesses.

According to Nahfawi, properly managed populations of vaccinated and neutered stray animals contribute positively to the ecosystem. She argued that the appropriate response involves scientific and compassionate management strategies rather than culling or harm to animals.

The advocate stressed that municipal investment in managing stray populations represents a manageable expense that does not warrant continued neglect. With stray dog numbers rising and conditions deteriorating, she warned that postponing solutions is no longer feasible.

Nahfawi's remarks reflect broader discussions within Lebanon regarding how best to manage the stray animal population, balancing calls for strengthened municipal participation, implementation of established protocols, and promotion of animal welfare principles against ad hoc approaches that risk worsening the situation.