Poisoning of cats, dogs in Egypt slammed

Animal welfare groups have accused Egyptian authorities of allowing the poisoning cats and dogs at two locations in Cairo. The Egyptians Society for Mercy to Animals is demanding an explanation for the alleged poisoning of cats at the Shooting Club, a popular club in the Dokki suburb, with strychnine or arsenic, Bikyamasr.com reported Sunday. Club officials said the action was taken to "reduce the annoyance" of stray cats. "The whole club is covered with illegally and internationally forbidden poison," ESMA said. The presence of such poisons could be a threat to children, the group said. Meanwhile, in the Nasr City area of Cairo, at least 20 dogs were also poisoned, animal welfare advocates said. They called on the government to spay and neuter animals to reduce their populations. "Poisoning the animals is wrong and does nothing to help the animal situation," Dina Zulfikar, a leading activist, told Bikyamasr.com. In ancient Egypt the goddess Bast, represented by a cat, was revered as the deity representing fertility, protection and motherhood.