In the past two months, over 60 dogs have tragically died at the "Nachoti Insaniyat" shelter for stray animals in Luchob, northern Dushanbe. The shelter's management and volunteers suspect foul play, as scattered sausages were found on the premises, and the animals exhibited symptoms of poisoning.
The first incident occurred on February 5, 2024, resulting in the death of more than 30 dogs near the gates. A second mass death of dogs occurred in mid-March, during the holy month of Ramadan. The workers believe that malicious individuals intentionally poisoned the dogs by throwing poisoned sausages into different parts of the shelter at night.
Malika Boltayeva, the director of the shelter, revealed that the shelter officially registered in 2019, houses mainly dogs rescued from the streets or victims of cruelty. Despite efforts to provide care, the shelter faced challenges due to the recent incidents.
Following the February incident, volunteers took a dog's body for examination, but due to a lack of necessary reagents, the cause of poisoning could not be determined. The shelter volunteers remain convinced that the dogs were indeed poisoned.
The shelter, located on the outskirts of Dushanbe, faced complaints from neighbors about noise and unpleasant odors. While acknowledging the need for improvement, the shelter's limited resources hinder their ability to address all concerns promptly.
Volunteers and animal rights activists intend to seek justice for the innocent dogs and hold those responsible for their deaths accountable. They emphasize the importance of authorities addressing the issue of stray animals and enforcing stricter penalties for animal cruelty.
The story will be closely monitored for updates, as efforts continue to ensure the well-being and safety of animals in Tajikistan.
