Killing of stray dogs in Romania

23.5.2011

Question for written answer E-005291/2011
to the Commission
Rule 117
Jörg Leichtfried (S&D)

There are reasons to believe that stray dogs are being systematically killed in Romania. These deliberate violations of animal rights are, it seems, being carried out by ‘animal control units’, which should be acting in the interest of animal welfare. These units are said to act at the behest of the Romanian Government, with which they are therefore in very close contact.

Romania regularly receives large subsidies from the EU as support for various areas such as tourism and health, with the aim of improving the current situation. There is a suspicion in this case that these payments are, in an indirect and unauthorised way, being used to kill stray dogs.

1. Is the Commission aware of the existence of animal control units or similar groups, and is it aware of what they do?

2. Is the Commission aware of the precarious situation of stray dogs in Romania?

3. Is the Commission aware of any possible misuse of EU money?

4. What measures is the Commission taking in order to establish whether there has been such misuse and, if there has, to stop it?

OJ C 365 E, 15/12/2011