Mass slaughter of dogs in Ukraine

14.9.2010

Question for written answer E-7544/2010
to the Commission
Rule 117
Marek Henryk Migalski (ECR)

According to press reports from across the globe, the Ukrainian authorities are using the holding of EURO 2012 as a pretext for carrying out a mass slaughter of stray animals in cities. A mobile crematorium has been purchased for this purpose in the city of Lisichansk and is used to deal with live dogs, which in some cases have been only stunned or anaesthetised using drugs. Officially, the dogs are buried in mass graves, with the process described as a ‘method of soil mineralisation’. Representatives of animal rights organisations in Ukraine say that the process, to which large sums have been devoted, is highly corrupt and dogs are being killed as cheaply as possible with no regard for the proper procedures. Dogs which have simply strayed from their homes are falling victim to dog-catchers.

The European Union has frequently expressed its opposition to animal cruelty, a position also reflected in the Treaty of Lisbon on the Functioning of the European Union, Article 13 of which recognises animals as sentient beings. In the light of the above, will the Commission intervene in the case of the mass slaughter of dogs in Ukraine?

OJ C 243 E, 20/08/2011