Tunisia-Saif Al-Din Issaoui: “Sniping stray dogs to limit their spread is brutal and useless solution” [Statement]

“The decline of the stray dog population on the streets is both a legitimate and scientific purpose, especially as their numbers are increasing and they are contributing to the spread of rabies. Addressing this issue is important. However, the method used by the Tunisian government, which has implicated shooting stray dogs with live bullets since the 1980s, is viewed as brutal, barbaric, and ultimately ineffective. This was highlighted by veterinarian Dr Saif Al-Din Issaoui in a statement to Tunisie Numérique.

Dr. Issaoui, on Friday, January 26, 2024, further stated that this approach has not yielded any positive results or solutions, despite being in use for decades. He pointed out that experiences from developed nations have shown that more effective solutions lie in establishing sterilization centres across various municipalities. These should be in partnership with both government and private veterinarians, focusing on sterilizing, vaccinating, and tagging the animals.

He stressed the necessity for various stakeholders to take responsibility in this matter, by seeking solutions that safeguard both human and animal rights. Dr. Issaoui also underscored the significance of fostering a culture of animal welfare within Tunisian society and raising awareness about the significance of different living beings in maintaining ecological balance.”

This revision seeks to improve the clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy of the original text.