20 January, Vitebsk /Alena Tikhonova - BELTA/. The Vitebsk Regional Prosecutor's Office is strengthening control over the observance of rules for keeping and walking dogs, as reported to BELTA by Natalia Sevryukova, Senior Assistant Prosecutor of the Vitebsk Region.
Written instructions on the need to coordinate work on checking the registration of dogs owned by citizens, primarily of fighting breeds, and compliance with the rules for keeping domestic dogs have been sent to the heads of administrations of the city of Vitebsk. "Local authorities should intensify efforts to identify pet owners who violate the rules for walking and keeping animals, both in the private sector and in apartment buildings. One of the methods for this work should be raids on dog walking areas," explained Natalia Sevryukova.
The increased control is due to the frequent incidents of domestic animals attacking people. Accidents occur, including during dog walking. Pet owners often violate the rules for keeping them: they walk dogs without leashes and muzzles, in residential areas, in schoolyards, stadiums, etc. As a result, people sustain injuries of varying severity. Such incidents cause significant public outcry, and passers-by reasonably fear for their safety. Naturally, fighting breed dogs pose an increased danger, and their owners are obliged to take enhanced safety measures.
In Vitebsk, 63 individuals were brought to administrative responsibility in 2013 under Article 15.47 of the Code of Administrative Offences (violation of the rules for keeping dogs, cats, and (or) predatory animals).
The rules for keeping domestic dogs, cats, and for the capture of stray animals in settlements of Belarus were approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 834 of June 4, 2001. Control over their observance is assigned to local executive bodies.-0-