Reponses to petitions that have been made to the President of the Commission can be found here. The reponses have been drafted, on behalf of President Barroso, by a spokesperson from the Directorate-General concerned.
“Reply to petitions and letters on the bad welfare conditions on which stray dogs are treated in some Member States
In relation to the protection of stray animals, no EU harmonised legislation is in place. As a consequence the matter falls under the sole responsibility of the Member States. The complaints related to bad treatment of stray dogs or to the conditions in which animals are kept in shelters should be directed to the relevant authorities of the Member States.Within this framework, here are the most recent developments in the EU in relation to stray animals.
The Commission has actively supported the work performed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to develop guidelines for the control of stray dog populations. All Member States are members of the OIE and have access to these guidelines which provides a number of technical tools to address the issue. The guidelines insist on the need to use parallel approaches for controlling stray dog population and consider that killing is not a sustainable strategy if performed alone. The guidelines also provide humane way of killing dogs when necessary.
Furthermore the Commission cooperates with other organisations to the development of the “CARODOG” website1 which will inform on canine population management leading to responsible animal ownership.
In December 2010 the Council of the EU adopted conclusions where it calls upon the Commission to perform studies for possible EU initiatives on the welfare of dogs and cats 2. The Commission will consider this issue in the framework of the preparation of its future EU strategy for the protection and welfare of animals that is planned to be adopted in December 2011″.
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1
See www.carodog.eu
2http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_Data/docs/pressdata/en/agricult/118076.pdf
This is the mechanism, the way it works at european level is the same as how it works at national level. Not surprising at all, the EU machine is even bigger. But I am sure there must somebody who can do something. Deliver one piece of paper. Say maybe instead of no. Pick up the phone when animal welfare activists do call, read carefully when a petition is handled to them. Challenge existing rules and costraints about what the European Commission can say or cannot say. Our empathy and dignity is the only thing we have, it can changes other people’s minds. Perhaps the whole Commission or a Directorate-General cannot pass the limits of existing or non-existing legislation. But simply a person? I saw a petition signed by 113,000 citizens delivered by OIPA to the Committee on Petitions of EP. Anyone knows of a global initiative like this at EU level? We need more signatures.
as a member of the european union ,all i can say is not surprising at all ,since they allowed ukraine,romania what can you expect?money hungry,self centered with out compassion or respect towards animals…
the above statment says nothing.
The Commission will consider this issue in the framework of the preparation of its future EU strategy for the protection and welfare of animals that is planned to be adopted in December 2011″. Where is this animal welfare strategy proposal for the European Union??
what kind of people are you? you have no compassion for living creatures and also seem to think its the fault of the animals when common sense tells you that its the humans beings at fault in the first place. you are in a position to be compassionate and kind to the voiceless so why are you not ??
I AM EXTREMELY DISSAPOINTED WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN HANDLING THE SITUATION IN ROMANIA AND UCRAINE!!! I THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD HELP!!!!!!!!
Where is the compassion for these animals in their response? I find no empathy for other species and that is very sad.
Given the appalling situation of strays in countries like Romania, Ukraine among others, I find the reply poor, vague, presenting nothing concrete, with no or little consideration to the URGENCY – EMERGENCY- of the matter. Very disappointing indeed.