There are an estimated 3 million stray dogs in Romania. They lead horrific lives scrounging for food and dodging cruel dog catchers. Laws have been passed to protect the animals and stop the overpopulation problem, but none have been activated.
As the numbers of strays reach a critical point many towns in the country have threatened a mass slaughter of all the stray dogs. On August 26, the threat became a reality when dog catchers began capturing and killing all of the homeless dogs.
Animal activists want the world to know there is still hope for the dogs. In June a Declaration in the European Union on Dog Population Management was launched. The bill will humanely tackle pet overpopulation in many countries.
To be adopted into law the declaration must be signed by at least 378 MEPs by October 6, 2011 or it will cease to exist. Today only 140 signatures have been collected.
Activists are urging members of the Romanian Parliament to sign the European Union Declaration before it is too late.
We the undersigned ask that you stop the massive slaughter of stray dogs in your country and move to solve the problem of overpopulation by signing the EU Declaration on Dog Population Management.
The declaration, which was launched by members of your Parliament, offers a humane solution through mandatory sterilization programs and pet ownership education. The stray dogs of Romania and in other EU member countries can be saved.
Currently homeless dogs are being captured through cruel and inhumane methods and euthanized by torture. A civilized solution to stop this problem is at your hands.
The Declaration must be signed by at least 378 MEPs by October 6, 2011 or it will cease to exist. We urge you to sign this document and stop the suffering for millions of homeless animals.
The stray dogs are victims of a manmade situation that released tens of thousands of them onto the streets. Their lives are full of hunger, disease and fear.
Statistics throughout the world show that mass killings do little to stop the problem and that sterilization is the answer.
Please join other European Union members and sign the Declaration on Dog Population Management before it is too late.
Thank you for your consideration of this letter and this important issue.
