CAIRO — The Egyptian Veterinarians Syndicate announced in a press statement Oct. 30 that it is in the process of drafting provisions for what it hopes will become Egypt's first animal welfare law. Many Egyptians wonder whether parliament will even entertain the idea of such legislation or dismiss it outright as one of the luxuries that Egypt can do without, despite there being some economic repercussions.

In 2015, news reports and video footage emerged of a restrained dog being killed by a group of butchers, who attacked the dog with knives. The incident came to be known as Dog al-Ahram. Due to pressure by social media users and animals’ rights groups, the offenders were tried and sentenced to three years, sparking wide controversy. The incident also shed light on the absence of a law regulating animal rights in Egypt.

According to Tarek Misk, a syndicate board member and chairman of the organization's Animal Rights Committee, several provisions governing behaviors that for years were considered controversial have been agreed on for inclusion in the bill. He told Al-Monitor that the syndicate started working on the draft three months ago and is expected to submit it to parliament by July 2018.

“The law includes articles prohibiting murdering stray animals, except in life-threatening cases [and then only] on the condition that the animal is not shot or poisoned,” Misk said. “There are also conditions for transporting animals humanely and provisions regulating animals' exploitation in accordance with their health situation. The draft also regulates the use of animals for research and puts conditions on euthanasia at slaughterhouses.”