Animal shelters to be constructed in three regional centers 

ArmInfo.  Armenia has taken on the issue of stray animals. During its November 26 meeting, the RA National Assembly Committee on Territorial Administration, Local Self-Government, Agriculture, and Environmental Protection issued a positive opinion on the draft law "On Responsible Treatment of Animals" and a package of related laws submitted by MPs Mary Galstyan and Arusyak Manavazyan.

According to Mary Galstyan, legal relations concerning non-wild  animals, except those used for agricultural purposes, are not clearly  regulated in the Republic of Armenia. This leaves room for  comprehensive and inclusive regulations related to domestic, stray,  official, exhibition, sports, and entertainment events. The proposed  provisions will not apply to legal relationships related to  agriculture, hunting, or animals harmful that pose a threat to human  life. It is noted that the authors  studied the experience of  approximately 20 countries when developing the bills. Discussions  were held with members of the Animal Welfare Working Group,  representatives from non-governmental organizations, experts, animal  lovers, and government officials.

Certain provisions of the package address the issue of stray animals,  particularly dogs. Specifically, it is planned to build animal  shelters in three regional centers-places where stray, lost, or  abandoned animals, as well as animals transferred for temporary care  and feeding, will be fed, treated, or cared for.

The bill establishes liability for abandoning animals. The adoption  and implementation of the bill is expected to reduce cases of cruel  and irresponsible treatment of animals, as well as the creation of  legal mechanisms ensuring the welfare and protection of animals.

In turn, Armen Simonyan, Deputy Minister of Territorial  Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia,  presented the government's positive opinion on this legislative  initiative. The executive body presented several proposals, which  were accepted by the authors of the bill.