Seems like a happy ending for airport pups after all
Photo: Tzvika Tishler
Airport pups may remain in Israel
Court presents proposal whereby pups illegally smuggled into Israel from Uzbekistan may remain in country following four-month quarantine
The Tel Aviv Magistrates Court presented a compromise offer Sunday allowing 23 puppies who were smuggled into Israel from Uzbekistan in early April to remain in the country.
In the Nick of time
By Eli Senior and Dan Bentsur
Airport authorities working to send unvaccinated smuggled canines back to their native Uzbekistan, but animal rights groups fighting the decision claim the pups would not survive the flight back
Under the terms of the offer, which was drafted in a bid to satisfy contrasting claims made by the Let Animals Live organization and the Agriculture Ministry, the pups will remain quarantined for a four-month period under Environment Ministry supervision to ensure they do not have rabies. Following the quarantine, the dogs will be put up for adoption.
Related article:
'Airport pups must return to Uzbekistan'
The Agriculture Ministry originally demanded the dogs be sent back to Uzbekistan as they were brought into the country illegally.
The court’s final decision on the matter is expected Thursday.
NIS 220,000 needed
Let Animals Live is requesting the public’s assistance in raising funds for the quarantine. The court has ordered the animal welfare organization to deposit NIS 220,000 (about USD 50,000) as proof of its capability to care for the pups.
“This is a major victory for us," said Let Animals Live spokeswoman Etti Altman, "but now we are in need of the public’s help in financing the quarantine period for the next four months, during which the pups may find a loving family.”
During the hearing judge Hila Grestel asked Agriculture Ministry representatives if they are treating the case as an isolated incident or as part of a fundamental battle.
“I do not understand why it had to turn into such a war,” she said.
The affair began after Ynet revealed that a few of the illegally-smuggled pups died while being held in a Ben-Gurion Airport cargo container.
Subsequently, former Cabinet Minister Nehama Ronen, who is the director of the company in charge of airport cargo, decided to free the pups and transfer them to the care of several veterinarians.
“It turns out that our decision was just and logical,” Ronen said. “From the moment the puppies landed in Israel, there was no other option but to save their lives.”
