UAnimals Media publishes an investigation into the practice of euthanizing healthy animals in veterinary clinics. The investigation was conducted by journalist Alyona Vyshnytska.
Putting a healthy animal to sleep is prohibited: this is stated in Article 17 of the Law “On the Protection of Animals from Cruelty.”
“The law clearly defines under what circumstances the euthanasia of an animal by humane methods is permissible, and this list does not include reasons such as ‘got tired of it,’ ‘it’s difficult with it,’ or ‘we need to go somewhere without it’,” the investigation states.
Does such a practice exist in Ukraine contrary to the law? As it turns out, it does. Alyona Vyshnytska called over 50 clinics. Most of them refused to terminate the life of a healthy animal. However, there were others.
“We’ll put you on the list, you come for euthanasia. There are clinics in Darnytskyi, Pecherskyi districts, and in Sofiivska Borshchahivka,” the journalist records one of the conversations. Overall, 6 clinics agreed for this hypothetical arrangement to euthanize a “healthy dog”.
Current legislation expressly prohibits euthanizing only stray animals to regulate their population on the streets. However, it does not directly impose responsibility for euthanizing a healthy pet.
