Romanian Animal Rights Activists Say Euthanizing Bucharest’s Stray Dogs Is Expensive, Inhumane

The organization said controlling the reproduction of stray animals takes longer and doesn't have immediate effects, but in the long run, it said it is the only viable and less costly measure.

The organization explained in a press release Wednesday that it costs about EUR20 to neuter a medium-sized dog and overhead charges reach about EUR8, while euthanasia costs EUR62.

Vier Pfoten also said expert opinions were not taken into account for the drafting of the bill which states dogs that are aggressive, gravely ill or that are not adopted within seven days will be euthanized. Animal rights activities added several studies, including recommendations of the World Health Organization, lean toward reproduction control programs rather than euthanasia, which the organization said is "radical, inhumane, expensive and inefficient".

Bucharest Prefect Mihai Atanasoaei said Tuesday a draft law on stray dogs has been sent to Romania's Chamber of Deputies and provisions include the euthanizing of dogs that are aggressive, gravely ill or that are not adopted within seven days.

The prefect said that the proposals, which conform to EU legislation, are based on data collected during the past four years from local authorities and from the National Institute for Infectious Diseases Matei Bals. According to NGOs, there are nearly 40,000 stray dogs in Bucharest, while according to local authorities there are nearly 100,000.

In 2009, 7,571 people in Bucharest required medical attention because of stray dog bites. In the first quarter of 2010, 2,175 such cases were recorded. Medical treatment for the injured cost EUR400,000 in 2009, and approximately EUR1.3 million from 2006-2009.

Yearly maintenance for all stray dogs in Bucharest would cost an estimated EUR34 million, said the prefect of Bucharest.

The draft law states that people who want to adopt more than two dogs have to provide evidence that they can afford maintenance costs, approval from their neighbors or homeowners' association, and receipts proving that the animals have been neutered, have received medical care and have had tracking microchips implanted.

The draft law also states that stray dogs will be rounded up and selected. Gravely ill, aggressive dogs will be euthanized, while healthy, non-aggressive animals would be put up for adoption. Dogs who are not adopted within seven days can also be euthanized, said the prefect.

The new law would also make it mandatory for common-breed dog owners to have tracking microchips implanted on their animals, and to neuter or spay them.

Also, the amended law would enforce fines from RON1,000 to RON5,000 for people who adopt dogs and then release them on the street, people who feed stray dogs in public places, animal owners who fail to register their pets, and those who do not neuter or spay their common-breed dogs.

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