"The Hirak" in Algeria... Terrifying scenes and controversial measures!
February 20, 2025199 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The controversy ignited in Algeria following the spread of shocking videos showing the killing of stray animals using a method locally known as "Algaloufa," where cats and dogs are collected in narrow cages, then electrocuted with water and electricity until death.
The brutal scenes have sparked outrage among animal rights activists, who have described these actions as cruel and ineffective from a health perspective.
Social media platforms are witnessing a wave of intense anger, especially after the circulation of footage documenting random hunting of animals, where they are captured in a harsh manner without distinguishing between sick and healthy ones, then left in the pound without food for three days before being euthanized.
Algerian veterinarian Badra Bashen, an animal rights activist since 2017, has been at the forefront of protesters against these practices, affirming that this method is not only cruel but also does not contribute to controlling the spread of rabies; instead, it may lead to adverse outcomes.
She pointed out that animals infected with rabies often isolate themselves from humans and show clear symptoms, while random hunting targets all animals indiscriminately, meaning that even those looking for their dog or cat in the pound cannot find them.
The veterinarian mentioned a female dog that was shot in the jaw while caring for her puppies, becoming a living example of the cruelty towards stray animals.
She emphasized that advanced countries rely on animal sterilization programs instead of extermination, while in Algeria and some neighboring countries, pounds still carry out mass killing operations without considering more humane alternatives.
The cage used in these operations, known as "Algaloufa," is a public institution with a commercial nature, where dogs and cats are collected without distinguishing between vaccinated and non-vaccinated ones, further fueling the debate on the effectiveness of this measure in controlling disease spread, especially with the growing awareness of animal rights in Algerian society.
