More Israeli Families on their Way to a Vacation Abandon their Dogs

More Israeli Families on their Way to a Vacation Abandon their Dogs

Increasing Number of Abandoned Dogs in the South of Israel by Families that are on their Way to a Summer Vacation Abroad or in Eilat has been highly disturbing and raising questions of morality

Written by: Shimon Ifergan

Translation: Anat Priddy

July 2, 2012

In Mitzpe Ramon, a small city that is in the heart of a desert area, many families choose to leave their dogs behind, on their way to a great summer vacation in Eilat or abroad. A local resident reports that there has been a dramatic incline of 60% of dogs that are abandoned in the desert area. Furthermore, just recently, ten dogs have been abandoned; some of them died as a result of dehydration, since they couldn’t find any source of water and the weather condition is very difficult, hot and dry

Mrs. Yardena Almakayas, who loves dogs and raises ten dogs in her house in Mitzpe Ramon explains that she finds it terribly sad and tragic that so many dogs are abandoned, and many do not survive and find their death. She further explains that many families choose to park their vehicle in Mitzpe Ramon, and intentionally leave the dog, and then continue to drive on their way to a summer vacation in Eilat. Some residents of Mitzpe Ramon have contacted LAL, and filed official complaints against the people that abandoned their dogs. Abandoning a dog is a form of abuse of a helpless animal, and is against the Animal Welfare Law, 1994. The Israeli police replied that it will investigate the cases, and will do its best to bring these people to justice

Mrs. Almakayas further explains that she cannot comprehend how people can abandon their dog. Some of the dogs had a name tag on, and Mrs. Almakayas was able to contact the dog owners. However, many of the dog owners refused to bring their dog home, and simply explained that they chose to abandon their dog. Mrs. Almakayas says that she is aware of the fact that some people do not like dogs. However, she cannot understand how can people intentionally drive to Mitzpe Ramon, and leave the dog alone, in a territory that the dog in not familiar with, that is in a desert area where sources of water are impossible to find. Mrs. Almakayas further explains that somebody abandoned a female dog along with her puppies  right outside her home, and that she is trying to find these dogs, as well as many other dogs, a home, with the help of some animal welfare organizations, students and animal lovers

Mrs. Eti Altman, who is the representative and the founder of LAL, explains that there has been an incline of 60% of cases of abandoned dogs. In the last few months people have been contacting LAL and reporting about hundreds of cases of abandoned dogs in Ben-Gurion Airport surroundings, in Mitzpe Ramon,  Beer-Sheva, Sdee-Boker, in different “kibutzim ” (communal settlements) and more. We, at LAL, do our best and try to help each and every animal, however, our funds are limited and therefore we are not able to help all the animals. Some of the dogs, unfortunately, do find their death. Some people even abandon nursing female dogs along with their puppies. I hope that the people who abandon their dog will be brought to justice and that the Israeli authorities will indeed enforce the Animal Welfare Law that was established in 1994 since it is a criminal offense to abandon a helpless animal