In Irkutsk, a raid against illegal animal sales near the Central Market found puppies, kittens, and rabbits on Timiryazev Street kept in unsanitary conditions. One seller was fined, and the animals were taken to a shelter and zoo gallery. Specialists remind that pets should be bought only at authorized places and with a veterinary certificate, otherwise it may be dangerous to health.

Employees of the police, the veterinary service of the Irkutsk Region, the administration of the city of Irkutsk, and the charitable animal welfare organization “Zemlyane” conducted an inspection raid to check unauthorized animal sales in the area of the “Tsentralny Rynok” stop. As a result, such cases were recorded on Timiryazeva Street. At the sight of the police, the vendors fled, leaving the animals behind. During the inspection of the “goods,” specialists noted that the puppies, kittens, and rabbits were being kept in unsanitary conditions: in tightly closed boxes, cramped and dirty cages.
Employees of the unauthorized trade sector of the Irkutsk administration drew up an administrative offense report against one seller. The sector’s chief specialist, Tatyana Makarova, said: “Providing services for selling or giving away animals in a place not designated for this purpose is a violation of the Trade Rules in the territory of the city of Irkutsk, with a fine of up to 7,000 rubles for such a violation. For trading animals (or giving them away) in the city, a special place has been designated — the Kachug Market, where conditions have been created for this, and a veterinary service is operating.”
Trading animals in this part of the city leads to littering of this section of Timiryazeva Street, creates unsanitary conditions, interferes with passersby, and spoils the appearance of the central part of the city, specialists note. In addition, purchasing animals in this place can be dangerous to health. According to the rules, a veterinary certificate must be issued for each animal.
Cases of people becoming infected when buying animals at such markets have been established, said Sergei Vlasov, head of the Department of State Veterinary Supervision of the Veterinary Service of the Irkutsk Region. One of them occurred in March in the Lipetsk Region: as a result of a bite from a sick puppy and infection with the rabies virus, a 15-year-old girl died. The puppy had been purchased at an informal market.
“We draw the attention of Irkutsk residents to the fact that pets may only be purchased after examination by a veterinarian and with a veterinary certificate. Take care of your life and the lives of your children,” Sergei Vlasov urged.
With the assistance of animal rights activists, the kittens, puppies, and other animals left by the vendors on Timiryazeva Street were handed over to the K-9 kennel and the Ivushkin Zoo Gallery. Raids to check unauthorized animal sales will continue.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk administration.