The Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen has proposed changing the status of stray cats and free-roaming dogs as part of a broad revision of hunting regulations and game management rules. The society’s chairman, Ihar Shunevich, told BelTA.
“One of the proposals concerns the status of stray cats and free-roaming dogs. Unsupervised dogs often form packs and cause damage to wildlife as well as agriculture. Therefore, the Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen has submitted proposals to amend the relevant provisions,” he said.
Shunevich said the revision of the hunting regulations is being led by the Forestry Ministry and is expected to be completed by 2027. In total, around 100 proposals from all interested parties are under consideration, including the Forestry Ministry, the State Inspectorate for the Protection of Fauna and Flora, the Natural Resources Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, and hunting leaseholders. The Belarusian Society of Hunters and Fishermen has submitted around 20 proposals, which are currently under review.