Animals in Israel Basecamps-Call for Immediate Action!!!
January 23, 2013
Translation: Anat Priddy
Many stray dogs are struggling to survive in many Israeli military basecamps across the country, every day. Most of the dogs are suffering from mal-nutrition, are significantly underweight, are wounded and need medical help. In addition, the dogs are not spayed or neutered, thus their numbers are rapidly growing. Many of the puppies find their agonizing death early in life, as a result of weather conditions, lack of food and water.
Compassionate soldiers have been contacting LAL. However, LAL is not able to help most of the animals due to lack of resources. LAL has contacted IDF. Officials regarding the matter, and found the reply very disturbing and disappointing; IDF replied that the stray dogs do not belong to the army and therefore it is not their responsibility to provide any resources or care for these animals. The soldiers are instructed not to provide any food or water to the animals.
LAL found out that a mere 30,000 LIS (under US$10,000) per year is provided for treatment of soldiers who were bitten by stray animals. To compare, 50,000,000,000 LIS (US$ 13.5 billion dollars) is the military annual budget for Israel’s security.
We, LAL, believe that the IDF must treat the animals humanely, take responsibility, spay and neuter the animals, cooperate with LAL and not instruct the soldiers not to feed the animals, thus let the dogs starve to death. There are approximately 400,000 stray dogs throughout the country, which the Israeli government has failed to provide the necessary funds to decrease their numbers and provide the medical and physical care that they need. Many are left in the streets to die an agonizing death. The dogs are trying to survive, desperately looking for food, and we, as a nation, must take responsibility, show compassion and not ignore. We call for an immediate action. Please join us.
PLEASE E-MAIL THE FOLLOWING:
General Benny Gantz, The Chief of Staff, IDF
mapa@idf.gov.il
General Mordechai, IDF Spokesperson
israelipr@mail.idf.il