The State Duma has approved, in its initial reading, a bill granting regional authorities the power to euthanize stray animals. This was reported by Novaya Gazeta Evropa on May 16th.
The bill grants regional authorities the autonomy to determine the course of action regarding stray animals, including the option to euthanize them. The bill was passed with 310 voting in favor, 31 voting against, and nine abstaining.
In various cities across Russia, including Moscow, Izhevsk, Medvezhjegorsk, and Volgograd, people organized meetings and pickets to protest against the bill. In a show of solidarity, residents of Belgorod brought their pets to the rallies, while people in Bashkortostan displayed placards denouncing 'zoofascism.' In Karelia, a petition garnered 1.3 thousand signatures opposing the authorization of euthanasia for stray dogs and cats.
The tragic incident of a child being attacked by dogs in Orenburg prompted some residents to support the initiative.
