Answer given by Mr Dalli on behalf of the Commission

13.2.2013

The Honourable Member is invited to refer to the answers to Written Questions E‑005087/2011, E‑005291/2011, E‑006543/2011, E‑007161/2011, E‑007308/2011 and E‑008496/2011[1] which address the issues of stray dogs and of dog population management.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted guidelines for the control of stray dog populations[2]. Greece is a member of the OIE and has access to these guidelines which provides a number of technical tools to address the issue. The guidelines insist on the need to use parallel approaches for controlling stray dog population and consider that killing is not a sustainable strategy if performed alone. The guidelines also provide for the killing of dogs to be carried out in a humane way when necessary.

In the context of the preparation of the EU strategy for the protection and welfare of animals 2011-2015, the Commission will consider possible actions for the protection of dogs, such as mandating studies as suggested by the Council in its conclusions on the welfare of dogs and cats[3], with due regard to the principles of conferral and subsidiarity laid down in the EU treaties.

• [1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/QP-WEB/home.jsp
• [2] http://www.oie.int/fr/
• [3] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/118076.pdf

OJ C 154 E, 31/05/2012