Euthanasia of stray animals has been allowed in Russia

In the Khabarovsk Territory, mandatory registration of pets has been introduced. Regional authorities have also permitted the euthanasia of stray animals.

Euthanasia may be performed in several cases: if a new owner cannot be found for the animal, if the pet has caused serious harm to human health, and also upon discovery of a pack of four or more animals that pose a potential danger to others.

In September, the legislative Duma of the Khabarovsk Territory had already attempted to introduce amendments allowing the euthanasia of captured stray animals 12 days after capture if no one was willing to take them home. However, the regional prosecutor's office opposed this initiative, and the regional court declared this provision of the law contradictory to current legislation.

In May of this year, State Duma deputies announced the development of a bill to create a system for responding to citizens' appeals regarding attacks by stray dogs. At the same time, an initiative is being considered that could allow regions to euthanize stray animals after the maximum period of their stay in shelters expires. However, a unified opinion on this issue has not yet been formed across Russia's regions.