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Ukraine
News Archive: Spring 2001
Brutal stray animal collection in Kyiv
Campaign Action Request - Unlucky in Ukraine
This summer we are launching a campaign to highlight the brutal stray animal collection methods that are still practised throughout Ukraine. You will be receiving the campaign packs through the post during June.
The main thrust of the campaign will be trying to persuade the President of Ukraine to adopt animal protection laws. At present there is no legislation on animal welfare in Ukraine. As you will know from previous newsletters, the Kiev Society for the Protection of Animals – SOS (SPA-SOS) drafted a comprehensive set of laws last year with the help of legal experts. Naturewatch, together with the international division of the RSPCA went to Kiev to support the press launch. The British Ambassador opened the proceedings and the proposals were well received. However, the parliamentary deputy who was going to present the Bill to the parliament became involved in a major political scandal and the Bill was abandoned. We have therefore decided to bring the scandal of stray animals directly to the attention of Mr Leonid Kuchma who is the President of Ukraine. Mr Kuchma is the most powerful figure in Ukraine and, if we can influence him, major changes could be made to stop the current inhumane actions to stray animals.
However it is not just the collection methods that concern us. We know that numerous dogs are sold to laboratories where unregulated experiments take place. A sickening example was reported via a German Weapons magazine a couple of months ago. A manufacturer of guns that fire rubber bullets asked the Kiev University to conduct some tests. These tests involved firing the rubber bullets at close range into various parts of the dog. Such tests are banned throughout Europe and are against the animal protection laws of the Council of Europe of which Ukraine is a member.
... Meanwhile at the Kiev SPA-SOS Animal Shelter
The dirty tricks brigade of the stray animal collection agency of Kiev known as the Animals in the City Organisation (AIC) are yet again attempting to cause trouble for SPA-SOS. One evening an anonymous caller telephoned the shelter to warn that AIC were planning a ‘provocation’ against SOS. Later that evening shelter staff made the gruesome discovery of dozens of dead dogs that had been dumped in a pit on nearby wasteland. Mysteriously, a TV crew arrived to film the incident (obviously tipped off) minutes before the arrival of a team of investigators from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and other officials including Nina Samafolova, Director of AIC.
SPA-SOS was accused of environmental lawbreaking and it was Ms Samafolova who played the most active role in accusing the society of killing the dogs and dumping them in the wasteland. A full scale investigation commenced. That evening, the investigators spent over four hours searching documents at the shelter looking for proof that SOS was responsible for disposing of the dogs. The following day an investigation into the financial activities of the society commenced followed by a thorough check of the shelter’s veterinary supplies. The president of SOS, Tamara Tarnawska, is certain that on this occasion AIC will not suceed in its attempt to fabricate a case against the Society. However it will take a lot of time to sort out.
It is clear that by employing tactics to intimidate SOS staff, AIC are hoping to destabilise the Society and destroy its fine reputation. Such harassment is yet another burden inflicted upon anyone who attempts to stop the AIC organisation from running its financially lucrative stray animal collection business.
