Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) addressed the assault against him by animal rights activists following the Ministry's decision to shoot stray dogs wandering around the city of Beit Shemesh at night.
"The residents of Beit Shemesh have suffered in recent years from the bites and attacks of a pack of wild dogs roaming the area.
“These dogs are not vaccinated and may spread rabies, thus posing a tangible danger to the health and well-being of the residents, Ariel said.
"In the past few months, the municipal veterinary service has tried to capture the wild dogs, first by trapping them and then by shooting them with anesthetics, but the phenomenon has not been dealt with and the wild dogs continue to threaten and harm the residents.
“Therefore, and in view of the gravity of the moral and legal situation - prioritizing human life and protecting public health, I instructed the Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Supervision unit to assist and deal with these wild dogs, while reducing the suffering caused to the dogs and without endangering residents and other animals."