State Duma Approves Principle Allowing Regions to Set Their Own Rules for Stray Animals
In the first reading, the State Duma endorsed a bill enabling regional authorities to independently determine how to handle stray animals. A vote was held with 350 deputies participating from 450 total. Support rose to 310 votes, while 31 opposed and 9 abstained. Amendments to the bill can still be considered during the second reading up to the end of May.
The proposed changes would amend the law On Responsible Treatment of Animals and certain other acts of the Russian Federation. The document grants regions the authority to decide which treatment measures to apply to stray animals. Under the new framework, the rules for trapping and sheltering may not be required in every case.
At the same time, the amendments remove the clause that forbids the use of substances, drugs, methods, or devices that cause harm, injury, or death to animals in all circumstances.
The governor of each region would determine how stray animals are managed, taking into account regional geographical, climatic, socio economic, and other characteristics. The authors emphasize that actions regarding stray animals should reflect the situation of residents in the region. The bill does not clearly specify whether euthanasia remains an option for stray animals.
Currently, the issue is regulated at the federal level with a single precautionary approach for stray animals known as the OSVV system, which involves trapping, sterilizing, vaccinating, and returning non aggressive animals to the street.
Position of the bill’s authors
The initiative was started by 16 MPs from United Russia, A Just Russia – For Truth, New People, and LDPR, with backing from the regional government. During debate, one of the authors, Yevgeny Markov, noted there are about 4.1 million stray animals in the country, living in dog like and cat populations. He argued the draft law responds to regional failures of the RHV method and allows regions to pursue alternative approaches they deem appropriate.
The co-rapporteur on the matter, Vladimir Burmatov, first deputy chair of the Ecology Committee, addressed concerns about sensational headlines implying permission to shoot animals. He stressed that the bill does not include terms like murder, shooting, euthanasia, or killing. Instead, it concerns the powers of constituent entities of the Russian Federation to protect citizens from attacks by stray animals while protecting the animals from cruelty.
Dmitry Kobylkin, another co author, stressed that the bill does not abolish the existing system or close down facilities. He cited the Astrakhan region as an example where bite and attack incidents rose relative to other parts of the country, suggesting that the current framework may be insufficient and additional measures could be necessary.
Nikolay Buduev, a co author, pointed out that the bill suggests regional authorities may decide to euthanize stray animals in certain circumstances. He argued that under current law more drastic measures against animals that attack people are not clearly prohibited.
He also noted public concerns about accountability, pointing out that authorities faced questions about responsibility for preventive actions and how liability is assessed when protective measures fall short.
Debate in the State Duma
The bill faced criticism from Sergei Mironov, head of Fair Russia – For Truth, who described the document as a flawed project accepted to shield negligent officials. Denis Parfyonov of the Communist Party questioned how corruption risks would be addressed, noting reports about dog neutering and guarding in some areas that do not always align with reality.
Burmatov responded that outcomes vary by region and acknowledged that the number of stray dogs in areas affected by SARS and other challenges has decreased in some places. He warned that any plan can be misused unless proper oversight and enforcement are in place, quoting a major publication to illustrate the point.
Animal rights activists and public reaction
Animal rights advocates gathered near the State Duma to protest the bill, expressing fears that regional authorities could legalize killing stray animals. Yuri Koretskikh, head of the Animal Defenders Alliance, warned that the measure could lead to euthanasia across the board and a rise in complaints about stray herds. In an interview, Koretskikh argued the proposal had no positive aspects and that his organization opposed its adoption.
Conversely, Kira Nikitina, head of the Stray Dogs Charity Foundation, suggested the problem lies not in the law but in the uneven implementation of OSVV in difficult regions. In Astrakhan, where Kobylkin spoke in early 2023, the Investigative Committee opened a fraud case related to OSVV contracts. Reports indicated substantial alleged misappropriation tied to these contracts, with regional bite statistics for 2022 highlighting a significant burden on the system.
Advocates for animal welfare also highlighted successful outcomes under OSVV, noting substantial reductions in stray dog populations in various regions over recent years. Moscow officials, including Ivan Kormilitsyn, emphasized that the current OSVV program is functioning effectively and that shooting was never part of the strategy for the capital.
The bill appears amid several high profile incidents of stray dog attacks. One noted case involved a fatal attack on a schoolchild in Orenburg in April, underscoring the public safety concerns driving the debate about regional management of stray animals.