Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission

17.10.2013

The Commission is fully aware of this and other similar events that are the result of the persistent problematic presence of stray dogs in some areas of several Member States. However, the control of these animals is not governed by EU rules and remains under the sole responsibility of the Member States.

The Commission is thus not entitled to request any action to the Romanian authorities on this issue. It is important, however, to recall that the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted international standards on stray dog population control, highlighting the important role of the local government agencies for the enforcement of legislation relating to dog ownership and indicating the bodies responsible for developing and implementing appropriate training to regulate dog capture, transport, and holding as well as minimum housing and care criteria.

These standards also insist on the need to use parallel approaches for controlling stray dog population and consider that killing should be carried out in a humane way when necessary, and it is not a sustainable strategy if performed alone.

However, it is up to Romania, as member of the OIE, to consider how it might most appropriately use these international guidelines in its national context.

OJ C 206, 02/07/2014