Accra, July 03, GNA–The Coalition for Cruelty-Free Africa, CFCFA, has condemned the killing of more than 450 dogs in Hosanna, Ethiopia, describing it as “barbaric” and a violation of animal welfare standards.
The group said a recent BBC investigation highlighted how the dogs were beaten, hanged and killed within days, causing “immense pain and suffering”.
“This act of cruelty must be investigated without delay. Those who ordered and carried out these killings should be arrested and prosecuted for animal cruelty.” CFCFA said in a statement.
The Coalition noted that the incident exposed gaps in animal protection, public education and rabies prevention.
It argued that dogs should not be made “scapegoats for failures in public health systems, education, veterinary services and responsible animal management.”
Calls for Government and AU Action
CFCFA has called on the President of Ethiopia, Mr. Taye Atske Selassie; Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed; the Government of Ethiopia; the Hadiya Zone Administration; the Hadiya Zone Police Command; the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture; the Ethiopian Public Health Institute; and Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to intervene urgently.
It is also urging the African Union, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa, to provide continental leadership by promoting humane rabies control programmes, stronger animal protection standards, and enforceable animal welfare laws across Africa.
“Rabies is a preventable disease. Every death from rabies is a tragedy. It is the responsibility of governments, local authorities, veterinary professionals and communities to ensure that dogs and other companion animals are vaccinated, cared for responsibly, sterilised where appropriate, and treated humanely,” the Coalition stated.
Humane Alternatives
CFCFA said the indiscriminate killing of dogs after human lives were lost “is not only barbaric but does not address the root causes of rabies”.
It cited examples from other countries where rabies has been controlled through vaccination, public education, responsible animal guardianship and accessible veterinary care.
“Dogs and cats are sentient beings capable of feeling fear, pain and distress. They have lived alongside humans for thousands of years as loyal companions. They deserve protection, compassion and humane treatment, not abuse, neglect or indiscriminate killing,” it added.
The Coalition further called for a ban on animal cruelty trades, including dog and cat meat trades, wildlife meat trades and animal sacrifices, to protect both animals and public health.
CFCFA’s Demands
The Coalition is calling for:
- An immediate, transparent and independent investigation into the Hosanna dog killings;
- Immediate steps to prevent further mass killings of dogs or other animals;
- Strong enforcement of animal protection laws and punishment for acts of cruelty;
- National and community-based rabies vaccination programmes for dogs;
- Greater access to veterinary care, sterilisation programmes and humane dog and cat population management;
- Action against the theft, trafficking and illegal trade of dogs and cats, and increased investment in animal rescue, rehabilitation and welfare services; and
- Legal reforms to protect dogs and cats from cruelty, exploitation, abandonment and slaughter.
Humane Education
CFCFA said compassion, empathy and respect for animals must be integrated into education across Africa. It recommended humane education in school curricula to teach children safe animal interaction, rabies prevention and empathy for all living beings.
“Protecting animals and protecting people are not competing priorities. Humane animal welfare is a public health issue, an educational issue, an environmental issue and a matter of justice,” the statement said.
“Africa has the knowledge, veterinary expertise and public health tools to eliminate rabies without resorting to cruelty. Compassion, education, vaccination and responsible animal guardianship, not fear and violence, are the path to a safer future for both animals and people.”
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong