Looting of refuges for stray dogs in Romania
26.3.2014
Question for written answer E-003699-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Kartika Tamara Liotard (GUE/NGL)
1. Is the Commission aware that the Romanian authorities hire the services of private organisations to catch stray dogs, often using harsh methods, with the aim of killing them? Does the Commission know that these businesses are paid per animal that they catch?[1]
2. Is the Commission aware that in the weekend of 22 March 2014 a refuge for stray dogs in Romania was looted, and dozens of stray dogs were stolen with the aim of obtaining financial rewards for them?
The international animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has hired a clinic at the refuge where dogs are castrated, have microchips inserted and are vaccinated before being offered for adoption.
After the theft, they were taken to a dogs’ home where they are being poisoned or killed in other ways.
3. Does the Commission consider that, if businesses are bounty hunting for stray dogs on such a large scale, this can be regarded as an economic activity?
4. Does the Commission still stand by the statement that it intends to introduce a simplified EU legislative framework for animal welfare principles for all animals kept in connection with an economic activity? (Strategy for the protection and welfare of animals 2012-2015)
5. What scope does the Commission see for protecting stray dogs at European level, bearing in mind that it has now become clear that economic activities are associated with these stray dogs in the form of bounty hunting? Can the Commission draw up animal welfare guidelines with which businesses and individuals must comply when catching and transporting stray dogs?
6. What view does the Commission take of the fact that the work of international NGOs such as FOUR PAWS is being directly and indirectly thwarted by this Romanian government policy?
7. Does the Commission consider it desirable that European NGOs should be able to operate freely in EU Member States, and to what extent can the Commission play a coordinating role in order to ensure that NGOs can defend the interests of people, animals and the environment?
- [1] See for example article http://www.carodog.eu/?p=5&s=1&a=&item=5238.
OJ C 346, 02/10/2014