Lebanon’s pets, strays feel brunt of Covid-19

ALLEGATIONS that pets can transmit Covid-19 to humans have prompted some Lebanese owners to abandon their animals. In some areas of the crisis-hit country, people have gone further, triggering an outcry from animal advocacy groups.

Lebanese animal lovers and activists have voiced anger at the recent poisoning of domestic animals, while others have been abandoned, in response to scientifically unsubstantiated reports that pets can transmit the new coronavirus to humans.

Animal activist Ghina Nahfawi said that following a television news report alleging that animals can transmit the potentially fatal virus to people, several pets died from eating poisoned meat fed to them on the streets.

“Since that report was broadcast in March, at least four pet dogs unsuspectingly ate the poisoned raw meat while their owners were walking them out and died,” Nahfawi said. Two other dogs were saved, she said.

She added that some 50 pets were found abandoned. In one case, a cat was left out in a locked cage.

“I am worried about stray animals too,” Nahfawi said. Due to a lockdown prompted by the virus outbreak, the activist said she had no specific figures about the threatened strays.

“But I can tell you that dozens were killed by poison on the streets. People call me daily reporting about dead stray cats and dogs. This is so cruel,” she added.

The incidents have prompted Lebanese animal welfare groups – such as Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA) and Animals Lebanon – to tell people that pets should be protected under all circumstances.

So far, there is no scientific evidence that pets can transmit the coronavirus.

“Since this piece of news went round in Lebanon about an infected cat (in Belgium), we have seen many people who are attached to their pets ask veterinarians if they should get rid of them,” said Sevine Fakhoury, a board member of BETA.

Late last month, the Belgian food safety agency AFSCA reported on the case of a cat that had caught the coronavirus from a human. However, it stressed that there were no indications of contagion from pet to human or to another animal.

“The sad part is that the abandoned pets cannot fend for themselves after being used to a household. Some are hit by cars,” Fakhoury said. “But the worst is the number of dogs that were shot point blank in the face.”

She noted that no non-governmental group in Lebanon is ready to take care of abandoned animals, amid a deepening economic crisis in the country.

Jason Mier, the executive director of Animals Lebanon, said homeless animals have been poisoned in Lebanon for more than a decade. This is sometimes done by government authorities, he said.

“I don’t believe poisoning has increased because of Covid-19, but rather this is just an additional excuse to carry out such poisoning,” Mier said.

In 2017, Lebanese President Michel Aoun signed the country’s first animal welfare bill, which legally protects domestic and wild animals from abuse.

According to the law, anyone found guilty of animal abuse could face up to two years in prison and an unspecified fine.

“This is definitely not an animal-loving country,” said Betina Mahfouz, an animal activist. She was commenting on online pictures showing at least two dogs dying with foam coming from their mouths as a result of poisoning.

Other activists have also accused municipalities of being cruel to animals.

“What is upsetting me is that some municipalities are carrying out this ugly and awful job,” said Meena Mukhi, a jeweller and animal carer.

No comment was available from municipal officials.