I made a decision to boycott the 2014 Winter Olympics based on the killing of stray dogs by the Russian government. Some say they were shot to death while others say they were poisoned. Word has come out from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that no healthy dog is being killed. Not sure if that is the truth or propanda being expelled to silence those who are clearly against the culling.
The dogs are looked upon as “biological trash.” When I heard this, there was no way I wanted to see President Vladimir Putin on my television. Am I wrong in my assertion to make a stand for my beliefs? Does this mean I’m doing a disservice to the 6,000 athletes from 87 countries who are participating after working diligently and dedicating their lives to make it to the Olympics? Are my reasons to boycott the Olympics based solely on the killing of stray dogs?
Let’s look at more facts about Russia
On July 4th, 2007, Russia was picked by the International Olympic Committee to be the host country to hold the 2014 Winter Olympics. It is the most expensive Olympic games in the history of the games costing $50 billion+. Many question why the city of Sochi was chosen for the prestigous Winter games. There have been several controversial issues amplifying the negative connotation surrounding this Olympic year.
There have been terrorist threats, human rights and gay rights controversies, the cost, corruption and the killing of stray dogs.
Two bombings in Volograd killed 34 people in suicide attacks. Massive security is in place to protect the athletes, visitors and the media. What does this entail? Metal detectors, x-rays and other checks. Ticketholders will need “spectator passes, providing passport and othe information to authorities. A hassle indeed.
Russian authorities have been accused of mistreating migrant workers and harassing activists and journalists, according to Human Rights Watch.
President Obama, Vice-President Biden nor the First Lady will not be attending the Olympic games. This is the first time since 2000 that the U.S. delegation to the Olympics won’t have any of these three people in attendance. This is due to Putin granting temporary asylum to NSA leaker, Edward Snowden. Obama has sent several openly gay athletes instead including Bille Jean King, and Brian Boitano.
On June 30th, 2013, Putin signed into law banning the promotion of non-traditional sexual relations in spaces where it could reach children. The federal law bans gay “propaganda” that makes it illegal to equate straight and gay relationships. There are fines for those who are found guilty of breaking the law. There will be special fines for foreigners.
Lastly, we have the stray dog situation in Sochi. According to visitors, stray dogs were certainly an issue. They were/are everywhere. The gov’t didn’t want any aggressive dogs attacking visitors. So they brought in pest exterminators to get rid of the “biological trash.”
According to a Russian animal rights activist, 300 dogs per month were being killed with some of them reportedly killed with poisoned darts. Many of these dogs are not feral but abandoned pets. Apparently, houses were demolished to make room for the Olympic venues. People were forced from their homes with no compensation, allegedly, and had to leave their pets behind.
A massive outcry from animal rights groups has shed light on this heinous way of controlling their dog population. It has been said that the dogs are taken to a sanctuary. A makeshift shelter was hastily created in two weeks where they have taken dogs. ABC News tried to gain access to it but security blocked the road and the news was unable to see inside.
People have gone to Sochi to successfully rescue some of these dogs. Olympic athletes are doing the same. Athletes are making a stand and taking dogs home with them.
It appears that the athletes care more about the stray dog problem than the human rights issue. People have questioned their efforts when there are thousands of homeless animals in shelters in the U.S.
Whether it’s the stray dogs, human rights or gay rights, I have to ask why Sochi was chosen to hold the Olympics when there are undoubtedly serious problems.
While I support our Olympic athletes, I am boycotting the Olympics. Do you think my actions are hurting the athletes or helping the animals?
They aren’t killing the dogs humanely. At least until the media got involved. They know they’re being watched now. They still have something to hide if they won’t allow ABC in to see the shelter. It’s not big enough to house all of the stray dogs. Of course, they’re killing healthy dogs. Disgusting.
I think Russia’s actions are despicable. I think the Olympics is shining a light on this country like never before. People can see for themselves how this dictator is running this country. To be gay is against the law. Do you know how absurd that sounds? They don’t care about human rights or anial rights!
To answer your question, I don’t think your actions are necessarily hurting the athletes but they did work really hard to get to the Olympics. It isn’t their fault that the games are being held in a communist country.
Thank you for saying this. The way someone treats animals lets you know how they will treat people. You can see how they treat their animals then they kick people out of their homes and telling people it is against the law to be gay. Sick country.
I didn’t watch them at all! No way!
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