Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
11.9.2024
1. There are currently no animal welfare rules in place at EU level that regulate the euthanasia of dogs and cats.
2. In view of the answer to question 1, the Commission has no recommendations on the use of euthanasia in dogs and cats. The Terrestrial Animal Health Code of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) contains a chapter providing guidance on the use of euthanasia in the context of dog population management[1].
3. T he Commission has adopted a proposal for a regulation on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability[2]. The proposal includes some provisions on certain specific aspects of euthanasia, but not on euthanasia in the context of dog population management. The proposal has entered the ordinary legislative procedure and is now before the co-legislators. The issue of welfare conditions of euthanasia of dogs in shelters is currently under the responsibility of Member States.
- [1] Terrestrial Code Online Access — WOAH — World Organisation for Animal Health https://www.woah.org/en/what-we-do/standards/codes-and-manuals/terrestrial-code-online-access/?id=169&L=1&htmfile=chapitre_aw_stray_dog.htm
- [2] Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability, COM/2023/769 final.