July 17, 2023

Paws & Laws


Paws & Laws
Stray kittens. Noppon Meenuch, Unsplash.

The State Duma imposed a ban on stray dogs and cats — granting regions the autonomy to determine how they will deal with such “homeless” animals.

An amendment to Article 13 of Federal Law No. 498, also known as "On the Responsible Treatment of Animals," included a ban on stray animals and their "self-walking" activities. The amended law now strictly prohibits the unrestricted and unaccompanied movement of animals in various public spaces, with the exception of designated areas permitted by local authorities for animal exercise. Notably, under the current version of the Responsible Animal Care Act, pets are prohibited from accessing roadways, elevators, apartment building yards, as well as children's and sports fields.

The State Duma claims their primary objective is to "protect people from attacks" from stray dogs. However, their motivation has sparked opposition from animal rights activists, who took to the streets near the State Duma to express their concerns. The activists said they fear the Duma's decision may pave the way for the legalization of euthanasia for homeless animals across different regions. 

Following the public outcry, the State Duma received approximately 25,000 appeals from concerned citizens expressing their opposition to the proposed amendments. In response, Russia has implemented an OSVV program (trapping, sterilization, vaccination, and return to the streets) as a means of addressing the issue. However, the legal amendments will give regional authorities the option to explore alternative approaches, which could potentially include the implementation of so-called "humane euthanasia."

You Might Also Like

Never Abandon Your Own
  • October 15, 2022

Never Abandon Your Own

When circumstances force you to leave the country, what do you do with your beloved pets?
A Shell-ebration
  • March 21, 2023

A Shell-ebration

A rare species of tortoise hatches in the Moscow Zoo for the first time. 
Puppy Love
  • August 29, 2022

Puppy Love

On International Homeless Animals Day, Moscow citizens attended a festival to encourage the adoption of pets from city shelters.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Dostoyevsky Bilingual

Dostoyevsky Bilingual

Bilingual series of short, lesser known, but highly significant works that show the traditional view of Dostoyevsky as a dour, intense, philosophical writer to be unnecessarily one-sided. 
The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

The fables of Ivan Krylov are rich fonts of Russian cultural wisdom and experience – reading and understanding them is vital to grasping the Russian worldview. This new edition of 62 of Krylov’s tales presents them side-by-side in English and Russian. The wonderfully lyrical translations by Lydia Razran Stone are accompanied by original, whimsical color illustrations by Katya Korobkina.
Moscow and Muscovites

Moscow and Muscovites

Vladimir Gilyarovsky's classic portrait of the Russian capital is one of Russians’ most beloved books. Yet it has never before been translated into English. Until now! It is a spectactular verbal pastiche: conversation, from gutter gibberish to the drawing room; oratory, from illiterates to aristocrats; prose, from boilerplate to Tolstoy; poetry, from earthy humor to Pushkin. 
Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
Fish: A History of One Migration

Fish: A History of One Migration

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
Murder at the Dacha

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.
Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

Maria's War: A Soldier's Autobiography

This astonishingly gripping autobiography by the founder of the Russian Women’s Death Battallion in World War I is an eye-opening documentary of life before, during and after the Bolshevik Revolution.
Russian Rules

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.
Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
Woe From Wit (bilingual)

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955