Post by ADMIN on Apr 4, 2012 17:15:29 GMT
Stray dogs are an issue across the Balkan Peninsula and not just in Bulgaria. They can be seen in large numbers in Athens, in Belgrade, and in Sofia, but the problem in Bucharest, Romania, appears to have spun out of control.
And with up to 250 000 stray dogs in the capital of Bucharest (there are about 9500 strays in Sofia by comparison), the Romanian authorities have decided to take the ultimate measure in order to solve the problem – put them to death, Bulgarian media reported, citing Deutsche Welle on April 7 2011.
Packs of strays have been attacking the residents of Bucharest for decades, with several fatalities accounted for. The latest case was a woman, mauled to death on the streets in January 2011, which caused a public outrage, the report said.
Romanian politicians have acted swiftly following the latest attack, authorising the culling of animals within 14 days of capture if unclaimed by anyone. Reportedly, "many municipalities have stocked massive quantities of poison with which to kill the animals".
According to conflicting estimates, the number of stray dogs in Bucharest is anywhere between 40 000 and 250 000. There are no exact criteria outlined by the Romanian government dictating when and how an animal can be killed, with the decision residing entirely with the respective municipality, the report said.
The decision has naturally caused concern among animal rights movements. Marlene Wartenberg, from Four Paws, has demanded that "Romania adheres to the norms outlined by the World Health Organisation, which dictate that stray dogs are to be castrated and released".
And with up to 250 000 stray dogs in the capital of Bucharest (there are about 9500 strays in Sofia by comparison), the Romanian authorities have decided to take the ultimate measure in order to solve the problem – put them to death, Bulgarian media reported, citing Deutsche Welle on April 7 2011.
Packs of strays have been attacking the residents of Bucharest for decades, with several fatalities accounted for. The latest case was a woman, mauled to death on the streets in January 2011, which caused a public outrage, the report said.
Romanian politicians have acted swiftly following the latest attack, authorising the culling of animals within 14 days of capture if unclaimed by anyone. Reportedly, "many municipalities have stocked massive quantities of poison with which to kill the animals".
According to conflicting estimates, the number of stray dogs in Bucharest is anywhere between 40 000 and 250 000. There are no exact criteria outlined by the Romanian government dictating when and how an animal can be killed, with the decision residing entirely with the respective municipality, the report said.
The decision has naturally caused concern among animal rights movements. Marlene Wartenberg, from Four Paws, has demanded that "Romania adheres to the norms outlined by the World Health Organisation, which dictate that stray dogs are to be castrated and released".