![Dog [Illustrative] (photo credit: Courtesy)](https://images.jpost.com/image/upload/q_auto/c_fill,g_faces:center,h_537,w_822/434934 "Dog [Illustrative]")
Earlier this year, 120 dogs and 100 cats were saved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Division in northern Israel after they were being mistreated by a shelter called Girgurim. Once rescued, these animals were discovered to have a deadly disease, Leishmania. A Phlebotomus, or sand fly, makes this disease contagious and dangerous to humans as well. Because of the danger these animals pose to humans, and the difficult life they will lead with the disease, the state is currently proposing to put them down. At present, the animals are stuck in limbo as the court has not yet processed the case that will determine their fate.
16 of the 120 dogs that were abused were found to not have the disease, after being tested twice by the Agricultural Department.Canada therefore decided to accept the dogs into a shelter, especially since the sand fly that transfers the disease is not found there.