International

In the last few weeks the SP group in the European Parliament has been swamped with e-mails from people who, completely justifiably, are concerned about the fate of stray dogs in Romania. These people are asking me to sign an official EP Written Declaration urging the European Union to take action. I’m pleased by this concern for animal welfare, and I share it. It’s just that a Written Declaration won’t lead to anything, because this issue has nothing to do with the EU. Signing such a declaration is pure symbolic politics and the SP never takes part in such gestures. Instead I hope that all of those who have written will aim their fire directly at the Romanian government, for example by offering support to Romanian animal welfare groups. In this way far more would undoubtedly be achieved.

Estimates vary, but years of neglect mean that in Bucharest, Romania’s capital, there are some 50,000 to 250,000 stray dogs. The Romanian authorities had never troubled themselves over the matter, but their attitude changed when the dogs began to attack people. In January a woman was killed in such an attack. The authorities’ response is completely out of line with the rules laid down by the World Health Organisation (WHO): they are killing all dogs which have not been claimed by their owner within two weeks of their being impounded. This is, of course, appalling. According to the WHO, stray dogs should in such circumstances be castrated and then freed. In my view this agreement should be adhered to, not by throwing the dogs back on to the street, but as far as is possible by keeping them in the pound and looking after them there, so that in time they can once again be placed with people who are prepared to accept them as pets.

It’s an understandable reaction: if you see the pictures of the stray dogs being hunted down in Romania, they’ll turn your stomach, and you’ll want to do something. It’s just that it’s completely misguided to think that Brussels will solve the problem. If the Written Declaration is adopted, all that will happen is that the European Parliament will submit a request to the European Commission. Although the Commission likes to stick its nose into anything and everything, in this case the only conclusion they will be able to draw is that this is a matter where power remains with the national authorities. What this means is that the whole of the action directed at the EP will lead to nothing.

What then should be done? A number of different animal welfare organisations are active in Romania, for example Pro Animals (proanimals.ro). These groups are appealing on their websites for urgent support from volunteers willing to work in Romania, but also for help in the form of donations. If all of those who have sent emails were to send a few euros to the bank accounts of such organisations, I am convinced that far more stray dogs would be saved than will be rescued as a result of a declaration from the EP. Not symbolic politics, but effective action, that’s what the SP stands for.