A former deputy head of the Giza Lawyers' Syndicate, Nady Zaafan, has filed a collective complaint to the public prosecutor against Dr. Hamdy Haggag, director of the Tanta veterinary unit, accusing him of killing a husky dog with an air injection.
Zaafan told Al Manassa this is the fourth complaint submitted against Haggag, following three previous complaints by animal rights groups.
"Today's complaint was filed on behalf of a group of citizens concerned with animal rights, who gathered outside the public prosecutor's office to demand continued investigations," he said.
The case gained attention after animal welfare groups circulated a video showing a husky dog tied to a street pole in Mahalat Marhoum, Gharbiya governorate, appearing severely fatigued and close to death as residents gathered around.
The veterinarian was accused of injecting the dog with air, prompting calls for his prosecution and dismissal.
According to Al Arabiya, villagers said the dog had caused panic among children due to erratic behaviour, allegedly attacking three children aged 8 to 12 and causing serious injuries.
Haggag defended his actions, claiming he was not primarily responsible for the dog's death. "I received an urgent call for help after three children were injured and the situation was tense," he said, adding that villagers had "beaten the dog, tied it up, and asked me to intervene."
Zaafan said previous complaints cited Article 45 of the constitution, which guarantees animal welfare, and Articles 355 and 357 of the Penal Code, which criminalize harm or cruelty to animals.
"Today, we added charges of disturbing public peace under Articles 80(d), 102(bis), and 188," Zaafan said. "He spread claims among villagers and the wider public that the dog was rabid but failed to take necessary precautions, causing public panic and health risks."
Zaafan also criticized Haggag for allegedly abandoning the dog's body without following protocols required when rabies is suspected. "This violates ministerial regulations demanding special procedures," he said.
The complaint, reviewed by Al Manassa, urged the public prosecutor to ensure a thorough investigation, clarify Haggag's role, and determine who hid the dog's body.
"Yesterday, I searched for the dog's body at Gharbiya Security Directorate and Tanta Central Police Department," Zaafan said. "The veterinarian left it on the ground after injecting it, without taking safety measures."
He added that the public prosecutor assigned a committee from Gharbiya's veterinary directorate to question officials about the substance used on the dog, its legality for rabies cases, and the correct procedures according to Haggag's testimony.
"The veterinarian has been summoned twice but was released, as detention is not mandatory for this type of offence," Zaafan said. "Investigations are ongoing, and we are awaiting the veterinary committee's report."
The government is targeting eradication of rabies-causing stray animals by 2030, a goal that currently costs 1.2 billion Egyptian pounds (about $27.24 million) annually for vaccines to treat bite victims, according to CNN.
In 2021, Egypt launched a national rabies eradication strategy, focused on mass vaccinations, public awareness campaigns to reduce stray animal contact, and providing immediate preventative treatments.
