A heartbreaking video showed a woman abandoning her paralyzed dog in the street. She was later identified as Hendeya, a former belly dancer and actress, when she posted a lengthy live stream on Facebook, clapping back at the public outrage she faced on social media.

The Egyptian Society for Mercy to Animals (ESMA) picked up the helpless German Shephard, who was seen in the video looking flustered and confused from the abandonment of his owner after being spotted by a neighbor. Many flocked to the comments section to condemn Hendeya for abandoning her dog referencing basic animal rights, which caused her to retaliate.

The following video contains graphic scenes. Viewer discretion is advised.

According to Hendeya’s story, the dog had soiled himself on her clothes, so she left him temporarily with a man in the street to change before taking him to the vet. Allegedly, Hendeya tried contacting ESMA to retrieve her dog, but they refused to return him due to his critical condition.

However, Hendeya claimed she had the full right to leave her dog in the street and responded to the backlash very aggressively with a classist undertone by calling those who criticized her “servants” without accepting any responsibility for her heinous actions.

Although we are not aware if Hendeya will face any charges, we view what she did as a violation of animal rights, especially when the dog was in her care during his illness.

In 1982, the Penal Code was amended in Article 357 to add the criminalization of killing or harming domesticated animals, including cats, dogs, cattle, and riding animals. You can read more about animal rights published by the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE) here.

What do you think is the suitable punishment for crimes against animals?