MPs want to introduce strict rules on dog ownership:The House gave preliminary approval to legislation that would introduce strict rules on dog ownership, including new penalties on owners who fail to license their animals.

Dog ownership is about to get more expensive: Under the legislation, dog owners will be required to purchase licenses costing between EGP 1k and EGP 50k. Anyone under the age of 18 would be banned from owning dogs.

Not licensing your pup could land you with a hefty fine: Dog owners and breeders who fail to obtain licenses will be fined at least EGP 10k. Fines of more than EGP 500k and jail terms as long as seven years could be handed out if a person’s dog attacks another person.

The rationale: “The bill aims to safeguard citizens from the deadly attacks of dangerous animals and dogs which have become everywhere on public streets, wreaking havoc among citizens and spreading noise and environmental pollution,” said House Local Administration Committee chair Ahmed El Sigini.

Treating dog bites? In this economy? Some 400k dog bites last put “massive financial cost” on the government, which had to import rabies shots to treat people, said Agriculture Committee chair Hesham El Hossary.

Yes, but… We’re not quite sure how handing out six-figure fines for unlicensed poodles is going to do anything to stop reproduction of baladi dogs on our streets.

On the plus side: We will finally be able to commute without fear of being attacked by tigers: “The draft bill comes to meet a pressing need as parliament has received hundreds of complaints from citizens urging MPs to take a legislative action against stray dogs which are threatening human lives on streets, and also regulate the possession of dangerous animals — lions, tigers, and monkeys — which attack citizens,” El Sigini said.

What’s next: The bill will be up for a final vote in an upcoming session.

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