A bill that would have allowed the euthanasia of stray dogs in Transbaikalia, Russia, under certain extraordinary circumstances has been withdrawn from consideration. The decision to postpone the bill’s discussion came after the prosecutor’s office raised concerns about the broad and ambiguous criteria used to define an “extraordinary situation” in the region.

The bill aimed to permit the euthanasia of stray animals when the safety of citizens was deemed at risk due to animal attacks. While the concept of the bill was not seen as contradicting federal law, the prosecutor’s office noted that the draft lacked specific criteria for declaring an extraordinary situation. The power to determine these criteria was to be given to the regional government, which the prosecutor’s office felt provided too much discretion.

The bill’s definition of requirements to either implement or cancel an extraordinary situation was viewed as incomplete, with an over-reliance on ambiguous and evaluative categories. The decision-making process lacked clarity.

Lawmakers intend to revisit the bill in July, after addressing the identified issues. The bill was modeled after similar legislation in the Republic of Buryatia, which permits euthanasia of ownerless animals during extraordinary situations that threaten public safety. If passed, the Transbaikalia bill would grant the regional government the authority to declare and manage extraordinary situations related to stray animals based on submissions from the State Veterinary Service. Municipalities would also have the right to request the declaration or cancellation of such situations.