Armenian Human Rights Defender, head of human rights organization  Veles emphasize importance of eliminating animal cruelty in Armenia

ArmInfo.  During a meeting with Marina Poghosyan, head of the organization "Veles," the Armenian Human Rights Defender, Anahit Manasyan emphasized the importance of eliminating animal cruelty.

According to the press service of the Human Rights Defender of  Armenia (HRD), during the meeting, the parties discussed alarming  cases recently recorded related to cruelty, harm, the organization  and conduct of illegal fights involving animals, as well as various  human rights issues in this context.

Manasyan emphasized that eliminating animal cruelty is not only a  matter of animal protection but also an important indicator of a  system of values, legal awareness, and the level of public  responsibility. According to her, such phenomena cannot be tolerated,  and their consistent prevention and legal response must be ensured.

The Armenian Ombudsman also noted that the problem of stray dogs in  communities must be addressed using safe and long-term mechanisms  that combine residents' rights, safety, and a responsible approach to  animals, while eliminating any forms of cruelty.

At the end of the meeting, the parties emphasized the need to develop  systemic and institutional solutions in this area, emphasizing the  importance of improving legislative regulations, enhancing the  effectiveness of law enforcement, and taking consistent steps to  raise public awareness.

It is worth noting that one such recent case, reported by Ovsanna  Hovsepyan, founder of the animal protection NGO "Dingo," involved dog  fights organized in the city of Spitak.