http://shine.yahoo.com/ellen-good-news/stray-dogs-sochi-rescued-amazing-animal-lover-004500198.html
One of the many controversies surrounding the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi is the cruelty toward stray dogs wandering the area. One generous man is taking action to save these animals’ lives.
Igor Airapetyan, 41, drove 20 hours and over 990 miles from Moscow to Sochi to rescue 11 homeless dogs who might otherwise be culled.
A pest-control firm was hired by the Russian government to pick up and exterminate stray dogs wandering in Sochi ahead of the Olympic games. Animal activists report that over 1,000 dogs have been killed in inhumane ways. “The Olympics have always been a symbol of peace, wars have been halted for the duration of the Olympics. But in Russia, the Olympics are built on blood,” Airapetyan told Radio Free Europe.
A local news station captured footage of the man’s car, packed with animals. A 990-mile road trip with eleven dogs in your car doesn’t sound like a picnic, but knowing you saved eleven innocent lives is an unbelievable achievement.
Airapetyan is now back in Moscow, but doesn’t have the room or money to personally adopt all 11 dogs. One of the pups, 1-year-old mutt Marusya, was adopted by a family in Finland, showing that Airapetyan’s efforts have extended well beyond Russia. He hopes to find permanent homes for all the dogs while raising awareness of the animal cruelty in Sochi and elsewhere in Russia.
We applaud this animal lover’s selfless efforts to help those who can’t help themselves.