Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission

15.5.2013

The Commission is not aware of the type of abuses mentioned by the Honourable Member.

At present there is no EU rule governing the protection of dogs and the Commission has no power to take particular action in this field.

However, the Commission is active in promoting and encouraging good practices on companion animal welfare and actively cooperates with other organisations to the development of the ‘CARODOG’ website[1], an informative platform on canine population management, leading to responsible animal ownership as a fundamental precondition for a dog-friendly society.

• [1] www.carodog.eu.

OJ C 19 E, 22/01/2014