A national plan under scrutiny... 54 municipalities join the effort as the ministry moves to contain the stray dog phenomenon

Agriculture Minister Dr. Nizar Hani chaired an expanded coordination meeting to follow up on the implementation phases of the national campaign to address the phenomenon, in line with the TNVR methodology based on trapping stray dogs, neutering and vaccinating them, and then returning them to their environment. The meeting was attended by ministry officials, representatives of the Veterinary Syndicate, animal protection activists, and actress Carmen Lebbos.

The meeting served as a key point to assess the campaign’s progress since its launch, review implementation mechanisms on the ground, and set a work plan to expand the program to cover various Lebanese regions, in line with the national strategy to combat rabies and in a way that balances the requirements of public health protection with the principles of animal welfare.

Participants discussed ways to strengthen and further develop the TNVR program, secure its financial sustainability through cooperation with donors and partners, and complete the regulatory frameworks and policies needed to ensure the campaign is carried out according to approved scientific standards.

They also stressed the need to unify efforts among the Ministry of Agriculture, the ministries of interior, municipalities, public health, and environment, in addition to the Veterinary Syndicate, municipalities, and specialized associations, in a way that ensures complementarity of roles and achieves effective and sustainable results.

The meeting also addressed the importance of intensifying community awareness campaigns, particularly among children and youth, to promote a culture of responsible interaction with animals, curb practices that contribute to the worsening of the stray dog phenomenon, and reinforce the concept of safe coexistence between humans and animals.

In this context, the roadmap for combating the phenomenon was presented, and it was agreed that it would be updated in line with the national strategic plan to eliminate rabies, in a way that strengthens preventive interventions and protects society from the health risks associated with zoonotic diseases.

The Ministry of Agriculture praised the initiative of 54 municipalities to join the national campaign, noting that a number of them have already begun implementing the program in the field, and considering this step a reflection of growing awareness of the importance of adopting scientific and humane solutions to address the stray dog issue.

The ministry called on the remaining municipalities to join the initiative, stressing that broad participation is a fundamental pillar in controlling stray dog numbers, limiting the spread of rabies, and achieving a balance between protecting citizens and preserving animal welfare standards.