Israeli Military Faces Criticism Over Euthanasia of Stray Dogs on Bases
The Israeli animal rights organization Let the Animals Live sent an urgent letter this week to Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and the Chief Medical Officer demanding immediate intervention regarding the treatment of stray dogs and cats on IDF bases. The group alleges that the military is not providing adequate medical care, has reduced sterilization efforts, and, lacking contracts with animal shelters, is capturing and euthanizing animals on site.
The letter, sent by CEO Yael Arkin, highlights numerous recent complaints from soldiers, their families, and military personnel about injured and sick animals not receiving treatment. The organization stresses that IDF General Staff orders require stray animals, including injured ones, to be transferred to shelters, animal organizations, or the Nature and Parks Authority under veterinary guidance.
The letter was prompted by an incident last week at Camp Noam in the Jordan Valley, where a military catcher and veterinarian reportedly arrived after reports of a dog and her two puppies. According to the organization, the mother dog was tranquilized and then euthanized, one puppy was taken to the organization for treatment, and the other was left behind. Let the Animals Live argues that euthanasia without exhausting alternatives such as treatment, rehabilitation, and adoption violates animal welfare laws and Supreme Court rulings that euthanasia should be a last resort.
In response, the IDF stated that on the reported day, two military veterinarians found a stray dog and one puppy in a bunker near the Noam outpost. After a veterinary assessment, due to the dog's severe medical condition and to prevent suffering, euthanasia was performed. The remaining puppy was transferred to the Ashkelon municipal veterinary department. The IDF emphasized that stray dogs in Israel fall under the responsibility of the Agriculture Ministry and local authorities but that the military acts proactively according to annual plans and General Staff orders to reduce the phenomenon and find solutions within its bases.
Let the Animals Live demands that the IDF immediately stop euthanasia, establish shelter arrangements, allocate budgets for medical care and sterilization, and expand veterinary services on bases to ensure proper treatment and rehabilitation of stray animals.
