“Allegations that animals are being burned alive are wholly unacceptable, and those making such claims must substantiate them,” declared Lasha Avaliani, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

According to Avaliani, the claims circulating about the alleged transfer of stray dogs to the Shida Kartli Inter-Municipal Agency shelter for stray pets in Gori by the National Food Agency are false and intended to mislead the public.

“In certain videos, claims were made in an assertive, declarative manner that bear no relation to reality. Measures regarding domestic animals have been underway in Kakheti and Imereti. We deployed a dedicated team to start operations in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region, and our first joint field visit was in the Zugdidi municipality with local authorities. I wish to state emphatically that the National Food Agency has not entered any other region or municipality, and has not brought animals to any other shelter,” Avaliani stated.

He further explained that no movement of Agency vehicles on the territory of Shida Kartli, nor any entry into the shelter, had been recorded; something that can readily be verified, including through video camera footage. The Deputy Minister urged relevant authorities to investigate the matter.

“Anyone who claims that such an incident took place and that footage exists, I would ask them to make it public. This is an extremely straightforward matter to prove, and the relevant authorities are obliged to take an interest. Allegations that animals are being burned alive are unacceptable, and those making such assertions must back them up with evidence. The relevant authorities should also investigate the reasons behind the dissemination of this information in such an assertive manner.

As of today, the National Food Agency has absolutely no involvement with the Shida Kartli shelter. The only thing I have seen is smoke from the incinerator, whose function is to burn waste, including animal waste generated following surgical procedures,” the Deputy Minister noted.