Stray dogs falling victim to Bahrain highways

TDT | Manama                                                         

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

The welfare of stray dogs in Bahrain has become a pressing concern as these unfortunate animals, devoid of natural environments, are increasingly being killed on highways due to the absence of protective fences.

Vanja Hathcock, a certified animal cruelty investigator from the Animal Cruelty Division, sheds light on the dire situation, highlighting the lack of government intervention and the need for immediate action to address this issue.

During an exclusive interview with The Daily Tribune, Hathcock underscored the challenges faced by stray animals: “Bahrain’s small size has resulted in a highly developed landscape dominated by highways and housing, leaving no room for natural habitats where stray animals, such as dogs and cats, can thrive."

Tragically, dogs are forced to navigate these roads as they search for food or seek new locations. The lack of fencing along the highways further endangers their lives.” Regarding the behaviour of dog owners, Hathcock stated, “In Bahrain, dogs are not commonly seen as pets, making it convenient for owners to abandon them anywhere.

Consequently, these dogs often meet a tragic fate on the highways. They are ill-equipped to survive in the unfamiliar outdoor environment and struggle to find their way back home.” Expressing her disappointment with the government’s response, Hathcock criticised the ministries responsible for stray animals, noting, “Despite their mandate, the Animal Wealth Directorate, which is tasked with animal welfare and injury prevention, has shown a lack of action. They are not taking any meaningful steps to address the challenges faced by stray dogs or cats.”

Furthermore, Hathcock highlighted the need for preventive measures, saying the Ministry of Works should take preventive measures and build fences around highways so that at least the dogs and cats won’t be able to cross.

"I have personally rescued many injured dogs from the highways, and while there are animal activists, there should be a team of qualified professionals from the government to take care of the matter.” Concerning the lack of collaboration, Hathcock pointed out, “There’s no collaboration with local authorities and animal welfare organisations to implement long-term solutions for stray animals because the authorities don’t communicate with us.

In fact, if anyone calls for an emergency, they give our numbers to the people, but it is also their responsibility to look after the matter instead of putting all the burden on organisations.” The implementation of long-term solutions, such as creating a qualified professional team dedicated to animal welfare and establishing fruitful partnerships with local authorities, is imperative to curb the senseless loss of innocent lives.