Должен опять вернуться к данной теме. Мне пришло письмо по e-mail на английском языке от Центра защиты прав животных ВИТА, датированное 6 мая 2004 г. Может быть, действительно рано кричать "Ура", если защитники животных до сих пор бьют в "колокола".
Привожу текст письма полностью:
"RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES PERSECUTE VETS
FOR ANAETHSITHING ANIMALS BEFORE OPERATIONS
PLEASE APPEAL TO MR. PUTIN TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM!
Friends,
Sick animals can t be operated on in Russia. Veterinary medicine always uses the drug Ketamine in combination with other drugs to anaesthize animals. However since 1998 Ketamine is forbidden for veterinary use in Russia!
Until recently, vets had ignored the ban, and continued to perform operations under proper anaesthesia, effectively breaking the law. In November 2003, the Drug Enforcement Agency started raids on clinics and arrests of veterinarians.
As a result vets can t operate on sick animals anymore, and uncountable animals die without proper veterinary help. Some others are operated on without anaesthetics!
Despite the ban of Ketamine, some vets stick to their human and medical duty, and use the drug to operate on sick animals. Such vets are being tried.
Friends, please appeal to the Russian president Mr. Putin and ask him to provide the vets with the necessary licenses for the use of Ketamine, and to

the prosecution of vets for using the drug, essential in the veterinary medicine.
Mr. Putin is the head of the Russian government, and only the government can resolve the current problem with Ketamine .
Please use your own text, or the suggested standard letter below. Don t forward to Mr. Putin this appeal to you, use only the standard letter below.
Mr. Putin s address is: Moscow, Kremlin, To Prezident Putin
An e-mail to Mr.Putin can be sent at the government webpage:
http://www.kremlin.ru/eng/sdocs/mailto_president.shtmlPostal letters are usually most effective.
On behalf of the animals I thank you cordially!
Tanya Maroueva,
VITA Russia
maroueva-reijngoudt.vita@bluewin.ch
STANDARD LETTER TO MR. PUTIN:
Moscow, Kremlin,
To Mr. Putin
Dear Mr. Putin,
From autumn 2003 sick animals can t be operated on in Russia, as the drug Ketamine is forbidden for the veterinary use in your country. However the drug is totally essential to anaesthize animals before operations.
Ketamine was banned for the veterinary use in 1998. Up till autumn 2003 vets effectively used Ketamine illegally. In autumn 2003 the State Committee on Control of Drugs and Psychotropic Substances launched a new campaign against drug use. The Committee started prosecuting vets for the use of Ketamine.
As a result of the public indignation at the issue, the Health Ministry and the Justice Ministry lifted the ban on Ketamine. However now to be able to use Ketamine vets first have to get state licenses. As it happens the state doesn t provide the vets with the necessary licenses.
Mr. Putin, I appeal to you to

the prosecution of the vets for the use of Ketamine, essential in veterinary medicine. Please use your influence to further the issue of licenses to vets.
With best regards,
..."