MEP Andrea Zanoni (PD), one of the Vice-Presidents of the INTERGROUP writes to Commissioner Borg about the 'Rabies Letter"

"The Commission has the legal power to intervene!"

Below, Google translation into English of the Press Release that Mr Zanoni has published on his personal blog, at:

http://www.andreazanoni.it/it/news/comunicati-stampa/randagismo-in-romania-zanoni-%28pd%29-scrive-a-borg-la-commissione-ha-il-potere-giuridico-di-intervenire.html

Press Release of March 7, 2014

MEP PD must sign a letter signed by hundreds of associations and citizens to EU Commissioner Tonio Borg that highlights the illegitimacy of using EU funds to manage the dog population so violent in Romania. Zanoni: "The Commission can and should intervene. The European taxpayers' money can not be used to commit these barbaric."

MEP PD Andrea Zanoni, vice president of the Intergroup for Animal Welfare and Conservation of Animals to the European Parliament, has signed a letter along with well 211 between associations and European citizens addressed to EU Commissioner Tonio Borg to propose a solution to the violence in stray dogs in Romania. "The letter clearly shows that the European Commission has the legal authority to intervene in the ongoing cruelty directed at the canine population in Romania," said Zanoni.

"In order to qualify for the co- financing of the EU , EU law provides for the selection of effective policies. Beyond the moral condemnation that we have repeatedly addressed in Bucharest , according to the unanimous opinion of experts worldwide, the "catch and kill " put into practice in Romania in no way constitutes an effective policy - adds Zanoni - This means that until this strategy can not be replaced by a solution based on international best practice, the Romanian program for the eradication of rabies is not legally eligible for co-financing by the guarantee Fund of the EU".

"Any continuation of the co- financing of a policy is not only ineffective constitute a violation of EU law, but a flagrant violation against European values", urges MEP who has personally visited Romania in December last year to make the point of the situation and ask local authorities a clear commitment to take non-violent management of stray dogs.

The letter also says that the burden of proof is the Commission's view that Romania does not use funds awarded under other programs, directly or indirectly, to finance large-scale management activities of the canine population enriching private contractors who operate as contractors for local government clients.

The letter, sent a copy to the European Court of Auditors, the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals of the EP and the Director of the G DG SANCO " eterinary Affairs and International", Bernard Van Goethem, was signed by: Teresa Rizzo, President, Association bastard race non-profit organization, Alessandro Di Rienzo, President, Coordination Isa, Carla Rocchi, President, National Board RSPCA Animal Protection, Massimo Pradella, Chairman, International Organization for Animal Protection (OIPA), Gianluca Felicetti President, LAV, Gian Marco Prampolini, President, League Leal Antivivisezionista non-profit organization, Piera Rosati, President, National League for the Defense of the Dog, Massimo Comparotto, President, Italian OIPA (International Organization for Animal Protection), Solveig Boccatius, Shelter-Canalba, Sara Turetta, President, Save the Dogs and Other Animals.

-------------------------------------

Vi ringrazio molto, caro Signor Zanoni!

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For further information on the ECT-letter and how YOUR money is being used to fuel the Romanian extermination enterprise, please visit:

http://europeancommunicationsteam.weebly.com/

and please SIGN OUR PETITION at:

https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/european-commission-freeze-all-funding-to-romania-until-a-humanely-compliant-dog-population-control-strategy-is-adopted

Thank you, in advance.

Your European Communications Team

 

 

Romanian strays – Borg’s favour for Farage

An excellent article written by EU-Reporter Anna van Densky, following the latest visit from 27/28th of January, 2014 in Romania, by MEP Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI (ECR), the Vice-Chairman of the AGRI Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Animal Welfare Intergroup, together with MEP Andrea ZANONI (ALDE), the Vice-Chairman of the Animal Welfare Intergroup.


Anna van Densky wrote:

The fact-finding mission of MEPs Janusz Wojciechowski and Andrea Zanoni have blasted the myth of any improvements for Romanian stray dogs. The scenes of extreme cruelty, stories of shocked witnesses describing massacres in dogs’ ‘shelters’ that resemble concentration camps (pictured) – all this morbid evidence has reopened the debate on the fate of 100,000 dogs in ‘new’ Romania. The latest governmental regulations have firmly blocked the adoption process, and canine slaughter is becoming increasingly profitable.

While multiple European animal protection associations have sent money to Romanian shelters, they were not aware of the fraud taking place – after pictures are taken, the dogs are brutally slaughtered in their cages with sticks and spades, and the money provided goes to the false care-givers. Some are even left to die without food and water…

“They are gangsters. It is the mafia who has taken advantage of the situation. It is a profitable business to fill pockets and destroy victims,’’ a Romanian activist told EU Reporter, following an MEPs’ press conference on 12 February. “Moreover, the criminals are opposing the sterilization policy as it would shut down a source of future income.”

There was a brief pause in atrocities following the pressure of public opinion, but then Commissioner Tonio Borg stepped in, explaining that he had “no tools to influence the situation”.

“The mafia understood this as ‘la carte blanche’ to go on with the massacre of dogs,” another activist added. The Commission’s reaction, describing the complaints “as grievances falling outside the scope of EU law” was taken to be Borg washing his hands of the affair, which subsequently provoked an atmosphere of toxic frustration during the First European Conference on the Welfare of Dogs and Cats in October 2013.

Many of participants felt indignant that the commissioner managed to avoid the most controversial issue of Romanian authorities ordering the massacre thousands of healthy and gentle stray dogs in response to one bitten child. Activists regard the Romanian strays taboo as sheer hypocrisy on the part of Borg, developing his thesis on “building a Europe that cares for companion animals”, while Romanian ‘care’ meant elimination.

The Commission’s incapability to stand tall for animal welfare by indulging the Romanian government in this way was a heavy blow. However, with 70 million homes having companion animals, European animal lovers form a substantial part of the electorate and they are running out of patience. They are entitled to raise a question if they agree to invest taxpayers’ money into a country that is openly stamping on the very same humane values for which the Union was created.

Perhaps UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage should send a bunch of flowers to Commissioner Borg – one glance at the massacre of caged Romanian dogs would speak volumes on disengagement from EU enlargement policy.

The elections are coming soon, and it will be the turn of European citizens to allow MEPs to “fall outside the scope” of their interest, if they are unable to respond to their grievances.

Come the ballot, we’ll see who has the last laugh!

Source: http://www.eureporter.co/magazine/2014/02/17/opinion-romanian-strays-borgs-favour-for-farage/

You can read about the press conference from 12th of February, 2014 and watch the video at the following link:

http://www.occupyforanimals.org/the-spotlights-have-been-switched-on-and-they-are-shining-brightly-into-the-bedrooms-of-the-eu-and-our-eu-sleeping-beauty-has-already-opened-her-eyes-but-when-will-she-get-up-at-last.html

And please read also the latest article by Dr Rita Pal published in the Huffington Post today, at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/rita-pal/romania-stray-dogs_b_4898595.html

Will our EU-Sleeping Beauty now wake up?

From Occupy For Animals 

Will our EU-Sleeping Beauty now wake up - at last - and take some serious action? Or will she send another love-letter to Basescu?

As you know, on December 4, 2013 a delegation of the European Parliament came to Romania and had some meetings with Romanian officials ANSVSA- Sanitary-Veterinary and Food Safety National Authority and the Mayor of Bucharest. The delegation members were assured that the law on dog management is a law on "adoption, not on "euthanasia" and the citizens had access to public shelters which were totally transparent and complying with the law

On January 28, the delegation returned to Romania in order to inform themselves on the situation directly on site by visiting as well dog shelters of the city halls.

The Delegation found that there was a major discrepancy between what the authorities had told them during their first visit and what they found on site during their second visit.

The Delegation has also received from us 12 reports about the situation from different towns in Romania and proves with regards at the abuses against stray dogs in the municipalities’ camps.

With regards at the SITUATION OF THE STRAY DOGS IN ROMANIA, MEP Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI, Vice-Chairman of the AGRI Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Animal Welfare Intergroup and MEP Andrea ZANONI, Vice-Chairman of the Animal Welfare Intergroup, will be hosting a PRESS CONFERENCE on Wednesday 12th February, 15:30, at Brussels, at European Parliament, Raoul Wallenberg Room - ASP5G2.

MEPs will present their reflections and conclusions and put forward plans, recommendations and possible initiatives in search of a solution on how to address the issue.

Please, see bellow the official information:

The Vice-Chairman of the AGRI Committee and Vice-Chairman of the Animal Welfare Intergroup, MEP Janusz WOJCIECHOWSKI (ECR) together with the Vice-Chairman of the Animal Welfare Intergroup MEP Andrea ZANONI (ALDE) will be hosting a press conference on Wednesday 12th February in relation to their recent visit to Romania. MEPs will be addressing concerns regarding the situation of stray dogs in light of the recently adopted Stray Dogs Euthanasia Law by the Parliament of Romania aimed at culling the stray population. MEPs will present their reflections and conclusions and put forward plans, recommendations and possible initiatives in search of a solution on how to address the issue. More information will be presented at the press conference.

Animal Welfare Intergroup Censors Mel Royal on G+

It is clear that the Animal Welfare Intergroup is feeling the heat since the world has its eye on why no action has been taken on the Romanian canine cruelty issue. Animal lover Mel Royal was posting some innocent comments on their website. They apparently welcome comments. Unfortunately, we suspect they prefer comments that are aligned to their viewpoint. Mel Royal attempted to post this video.

 

Warning - distressing images. 

They are distressing because the Eurogroup did  nothing to prevent it.

This morning, Eurogroup on G+ decided to block Mel Royal from commenting. Here is the evidence. 

To demonstrate who wrong they are, we can look at the UK directive for free speech.

Sedley LJ "Redmond-Bate v Director of Public Prosecutions [1999] EWHC Admin 732 which is persuasive in all jurisdictions

"Mr. Kealy was prepared to accept that blame could not attach for a breach of the peace to a speaker so long as what she said was inoffensive. This will not do. Free speech includes not only the inoffensive but the irritating, the contentious, the eccentric, the heretical, the unwelcome and the provocative provided it does not tend to provoke violence. Freedom only to speak inoffensively is not worth having. What Speakers’ Corner (where the law applies as fully as anywhere else) demonstrates is the tolerance which is both extended by the law to opinion of every kind and expected by the law in the conduct of those who disagree, even strongly, with what they hear. From the condemnation of Socrates to the persecution of modern writers and journalists, our world has seen too many examples of state control of unofficial ideas. A central purpose of the European Convention on Human Rights has been to set close limits to any such assumed power. We in this country continue to owe a debt to the jury which in 1670 refused to convict the Quakers William Penn and William Mead for preaching ideas which offended against state orthodoxy".  

And 

Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides the right to freedom of expression, subject to certain restrictions that are "in accordance with law" and "necessary in a democratic society". This right includes the freedom to hold opinions, and to receive and impart information and ideas.

“ Article 10 – Freedom of expression

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.

It is clear that instead of responding to the above video or agreeing to act to prevent such things from occurring again, the Eurogroup decided not to listen to Mel Royal. This does not distract from the fact that the Intergroup have done nothing constructive about the Romanian situation at all. Indeed, their last weak letter to the Romanian president lies unanswered. The question is what are they being paid for? 

Animal Welfare Intergroup - Europe's Sleeping Beauty?

Read the Huffington Post article here.

Animal Cruelty in Romania

The Animal "Welfare" Intergroup in "action". 

Why the EU cannot act in the Romanian Canine Crisis.

We live in Europe. We fund the European Union. Our great expectations is that it will work. What we don't expect is for the EU to allow a country to kill all its dogs in the most inhumane way possible. Of course, Romania has done this for years. It is member of the EU but believes it can swan around conducting itself in a barbaric manner. What no one expects is a flaw in legislation. The EP has failed to legislate against cruelty to stray animals. We wonder why. Occupy For Animals write a simple explanation.

Post by Occupy for Animals.

Is the EU in support of the 14 day cull law or is it just confused?

Today, there is an article in the Romanian papers. It can be read here. It states as follows

"EU agrees to euthanize stray dogs in Romania, but notes that to avoid abuse. In a letter to Eugen Nicolaescu, European Commissioner for Health says that "recognizes and respects the law passed by Parliament that allows euthanasia of stray dogs that were more than 14 days in a shelter. " Commissioner remembers that must be complied with EU rules providing for avoidance of unnecessary suffering of animals."

The original letter is listed below. 

Secondly, it is well known that the EU Intergroup's position was as follows:-

"A large majority of Romanian MEPs have also signed this declaration. Your call for a systematic mass killing of strays goes against the will of the democratically elected Romanian MEPs. This is something which we consider as profoundly undemocratic and unacceptable in the European Union!" EU Animal Welfare Intergroup letter to the President. 

Every animal welfare organisation is against the 14 day culling law. Even the studies from the WHO show that it is not effective in population control. The WSPA's view can be read here. 

EU Letter - Romanian Stray dogs

EP Animal Welfare Intergroup writes Love letter to Romanian President.

After Occupy For Animal's internet onslaught and criticism against the Animal "welfare" Eurogroup, they have produced yet another limp"appeal". Its a typical love letter with no guts or backbone. 

They write this

"We are aware that a lot of unsubstantiated ‘evidence’ of perpetrated cruelties has been circulating during the last weeks and that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between reliable information and invented horrors."

Invented horrors eh... why don't you go and look at the dog corpses around Romania and tell us what was "invented". Did the dog who got his top jaw chopped off make it up then? Did the dogs in numerous shelters who are bones and skin make it up then? Did Bostosani's hundreds of dead dogs pretend to be dead? Did you overlook the Brasov's leading dog killer's admissions? What is this MEP talking about? Any reasonable authority goes and investigates allegations. This Eurogroup just sits around and procrastinates. 

This appeal is like writing a love letter to "Hitler" and expecting reasonable behaviour. Now, we want action, we want the EU to instigate investigations against all the shelters, against the illegal use of Furadan, against the dog mafia plus we want investigations on the unlawful waste of funds and the cruelty meted out on the dogs of Romania and much much more. The public hires you to uphold the law - its important that you do it EU. This is an emergency - it means the EU needs to take action not sit around debating what is evidence and what is not. If you question evidence - go to Romania and find out. Live in Bostosani or Bucov shelter for a day and see if you think its fair to leave dogs starving hungry with no water. These dogs were forced to eat other dogs in desperation and to survive [ filmed by local TV]. Does the EU believe this is reasonable? If not, take action - we want to see a plan of action. We want to see it now. 

Love letter to Romania's resident dog killing machine. 

08/10/2013

Dear President Băsescu,

EP Animal Welfare Intergroup Members regret that no reply has been given so far to our correspondence of last month which would be very helpful for clarifications.

The recently adopted law amending and supplementing the Government Emergency Ordinance no. 155/2001 on the approval of a stray dogs management program stipulates a range of conditions and standards relating to the capture, transport, housing, identification, vaccination, sterilisation, registration, adoption and euthanasia of strays.

If the decision to euthanize a dog is taken, it must be carried out by veterinary personnel and in accordance with established and accepted practices. The law also specifies that the process of euthanasia must be quick and painless. It also confirms that shelters with the capacity and resources may continue to house strays for an indefinite period of time, and the animals may be returned to their owners (if they are identified) or adopted at any time.

These requirements don’t differ very much from what is practiced in other EU Member States but there remain concerns whether the law is enforceable as such under the given conditions.

-                 Will the municipalities have the sufficient means to respect all requirements of the law?

-                 Will it be possible to apply still neutering and release campaigns?

We assume that a lot will depend on the decisions taken by the municipalities. It seems that several mayors of Romanian cities have already stated publicly that they will avoid the euthanasia of strays, if at all possible. The Mayor of Bucharest expressed his commitment to urgently increase the capacity of dog shelters and to actively encourage adoption by promoting more education and a culture of adoption. We hope that these commitments will be held and that those authorities that will apply euthanasia campaigns will be obliged to operate within the strict confines of the law.

For the correct enforcement of the law it will be unavoidable to carry out inspections and to apply deterrent penalties for all those who infringe it. We hope that this will be foreseen to avoid cruelty to the dogs as much as possible.

We hope as well that the actions taken will be part of a comprehensive and humane, long-term population strategy.

As a member of the OIE, Romania is also responsible for implementing OIE recommendations. The OIE rules foresee that the killing of stray dogs should not be the only method of controlling the population and if killing is the last option, then it has to be done in a humane way along with other measures. This is also highlighted in Commissioner Tonio Borg’s letter to the Romanian Minister for Health.

We are aware that a lot of unsubstantiated ‘evidence’ of perpetrated cruelties has been circulating during the last weeks and that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between reliable information and invented horrors.

It remains though the fact that Romania, as several other EU Member States, has massive problems with stray dog populations and that everything has to be done to promote and implement humane management measures for strays as it was expressed in the European Parliament’s written declaration 26/2011 on dog population management in the European Union.

We urge you not to push for the euthanasia option, and to encourage the Mayors to choose the best solution for their municipality which avoids animal cruelty and takes dogs off the streets.

In your role as President you can act as mediator and work towards reducing the current polarization in Romanian society which exists around the issue of dogs, especially by promoting a responsible model of dog ownership in order to encourage a long-term solution to the issue of stray dogs in Romania.

Please rest assured of our solidarity for the handling of this difficult situation.

Sincerely,

Dan Jørgensen MEP

Cc:  Gheorghe-Eugen Nicolăescu – Romanian Minister for Health

To the "EU Sleeping Beauty":

Post by Occupy for Animals.

Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals. Sleeping on the job.

Refer to Occupy For Animal for more detailed coverage. 

Here is what it says on the EU tin can "The all-party Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals was created in 1983 in the European Parliament to discuss European and international animal welfare and conservation issues and, where appropriate, take initiatives which can lead to legislation" . 

Cosmetically, they like edit good press releases. There is a vast difference between a well constructed press release and actual action. While dogs were dying on World Animal Day, this group, its press officer and numerous people associating with it where tweeting more material designed to demonstrate their good humour. There is nothing funny about the high mortality rate of canines. It leads us to question whether this group is taking the matter seriously at all?

The fact really is that for years evidence has been presented to them in various forms. This evidence has been side-lined, neglected. Thousands of dogs have died as a consequence. We only have to look at this Dog Mafia documentary [note the admission that evidence was presented to the EU] or read the antics of the most ruthless wicked disgraceful dog catcher on planet earth to understand that millions of dogs have died in the most heinous manner possible. No reasonable body would have ignored the level of cruelty meted out on dogs. The evidence of cruelty has poured into Brussels much like a large Tsunami. Despite this, the group has concealed itself behind the facade of faulty legislation. Quite frankly this is not good enough. Let us inform you that the EU [and yourselves] are paid by the tax payer. This means you do what the tax paper wants and that is to instigate investigations and prosecute those responsible and uphold animal rights. Failure to do this constitutes a failure to do your job. Any one else failing to do their job would be fired. In this case, after years of narcolepsy each time a piece of evidence is provided, its time for this EU sleeping beauty to wake up and take action.

The Dog Mafia and the EU Sleeping Beauty

Under the watchful eye of the European Unions Animal Welfare Intergroup, the heinous crimes described in this documentary occurred . This short but brilliant documentary describes the disgraceful cruelty dogs have been subjected to for many many years. Are the EU powerless to stop it? Of course, not, they merely turn a blind eye and hope the evidence will be buried under some memory bank, never to be seen again. The Animal Welfare Intergroup is essentially Sleeping Beauty. It never wakes up in an emergency. While Romania is suffering a blood bath of canines, the Eurogroup is happily tweeting their fairy tales. Dogs die yet this group is happy to bask in the glow of tax payers money. 

Sign this Petition.

Post by Occupy for Animals.

Victor Ponta. Prime Minister of Romania. What a difference a day makes!

Written by Occupy4Animal. Please read the special page dedicated to Darciana Sarbu.

Romania's Prime Minister Ponta - and timely right for World Animals Day - seem to slightly change positions from being 'neutral' to being 'a bit more humane' and made an 'impressive' statement. 

Victor Ponta, Prime Minister of Romania, husband of Daciana Sarbu, one of the Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament's Intergroup on the Welfare and Conversation of Animals, throughout the scandal caused by the 'slaughter law', had kept a very neutral position and refrained from openly telling if he was in favor of the euthanasia of stray dogs, or against. After the 'slaughter law' became "legislation", the PSD leader made it clear that he "does not want to live in a country where homeless dogs are being slaughtered". This statement came a bit too late, in our opinion... 

Yesterday, in the 13th hour - but better late than never - Prime Minister Victor Ponta took a stand about what is about to happen: the slaughter of all captured dogs. In his latest statement on this subject he said: 

"There are two phases before the euthanasia: the adoption phase and the sterilization and keeping the dogs in the shelters. I would like, if we consider ourselves a civilized country, to use more the first two. This is my message and my signal. I will not be proud to live in a country where animals are slaughtered"

Oh really? Come on, Ponta? ... NOW?

It is true that his "message and his signal" has some value, but without action, it will only remain nothing but a signal...

You can read the entire article in the following link: http://www.cotidianul.ro/ponta-declara-ca-se-opune-eutanasierii-si-cere-adoptii-si-sterilizare-223541/

Yesterday, Ionel Blănculescu economist, and one of the advisors of Prime Minister Victor Ponta --- who has always been opposed to the 'slaughter law' and who had already made a strong statement on 11th of September, 2013 when he wrote about Romania being drowned in blood --- described on his blog the terrible situation in Romania, generated by the killing of the stray dogs.

Below the online translation of said statement:

"There is a very deep rift in Romanian society, between half of the population and half animal lover, animal lovers of ADEPT final solution to solve a major problem that the company faces. The population is divided, and the hatred between the two halves is horrendous. But besides this feeling of mutual hatred, which I think Romania is not needed at this stage of its development on a global crisis fund seemed endless, cooperation and solidarity but rather defining dimensions necessary thing happened extremely regrettable, affecting half of the population loving animals, loving people. It is a truth that needs to be proved, who loves animals, loves people, who does not love animals does not love any people, the latter are the ones who actually do the most harm people, society nation, the country in general, which I have not shown.

If you were to do a sketch of the person who loves animals and hence people might say that it is evil, irrational, cynical, conflict, throughout their life only made the rottenness and evil and wickedness he directs pus frustrated as many failures, especially personal, which is harder to see with the naked eye, thanks to the rule of dominant positions in society, temporal course, against a population of animals, dogs, so close man. (...)

But when some children are beaten regularly and not only when you get stones in the body associated with pain when you wake up with a boot in the belly or snap when I broke my nose with a kick is applied directly into the nose, flushing it blood or worse, when you are served instead of a morsel of bread, a bowl of antifreeze and die in agony or stay and live with sequels and unimaginable pain, how can you react? Those who today are complacent ordering mass murder on such explanations are complacent pain except their pain or relatives in the family, hence my horror at the thought of how we are different, even if we assume that we are all humans . (...)

Animal lovers people's lives changed radically from the time legislating mass murder on dog population. They live a hell, a nightmare constantly suffering enormous jerk sleep at night because of the macabre dreams, the appearance pound live dramas, trying to save their dogs to being strangers who are seen and considered, even before being caught , gentle on the sidewalk or in a corner of the building, or on the grass, not suspecting what awaits them, as victims of domestic atrocity ".

Source: http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ro&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dcnews.ro%2F2013%2F10%2Fblanculescu-iubitorii-de-animale-traiesc-un-cosmar-ue-este-oripilata%2F

Article from 11th of September, 2013: http://adevarul.ro/news/societate/romania-inecata-n-sange-1_52301614c7b855ff566d4a67/index.html

Blănculescu : Animal lovers living a nightmare , the EU is horrified

The reason why Romania is not held to account.

The most interesting aspect of this tale is that Occupy For Animals disclosed an interesting fact.  Eurogroup's Vice President in Romania [Daciana Sarbu] [Animal Welfare Intergroup] [ the people who could do something about the disastrous situation in Romania] is married to Victor Ponta [Prime Minister of Romania]. Romania of course is now operating on media spin since their poor animal rights record is now circulating world-wide in glorious technical via protests, the internet and other sources.

Allegations of potential bias and conflict of interest were made against the Eurogroup on Animal Welfare by animal activists. In the meantime, Ponta has been attempting to offer tamer views and crocodile tears. Firstly, none of us believe him and secondly if he really believed that dogs were treated terribly then he would do something about it and not just talk about it. Just like a typical politician, he press releases tales to the media yet there is no action. We understand that his wife is under fire from the public. Now, according to this article,  the EU is horrified and surprise surprise, it is one of the advisors to the Prime Minister. Are they positioning themselves to pretend they did not know about the animal neglect and cruelty that has happened for many many years. Is the EU saying they did not know about the slaughter of 240 dogs in Bostosani in 2011? If so then are we to assume the EU doesn't pay much attention?

The fact is, his wife is under fire and if the Eurogroup understood about fairness, they would fire her or encourage her to resign. Her position is now untenable. It taints the work of the Eurogroup on Animal Welfare and naturally I am going to make the allegation that they failed to act due to the influence of Daciana Sarbu and this is the reason they failed to act. As a lip service effort, on World Animal Day, they press released this. A press release neatly written and worded is not "action". Until investigations and audits are instigated on Romania, this group will continually be criticized for failing to act. Their inaction has cost the innocent lives of millions of canines.

Written Pretzel Roxana / October 3, 2013 0:25 . This is translation by Google Translator from the original link that can be found here. 

Ionel Blănculescu economist , one of the advisors of Prime Minister Victor Ponta , described on his blog , terrible situation in Romania , generated by killing stray dogs .

Blănculescu : Animal lovers living a nightmare EU oripilatăCuvintele written by Ionel Blănculescu they can not be recast. These are the words of a man in a world where humanity involves love for animals. Here's some of what he wrote Ionel Blănculescu :

"There is a very deep rift in Romanian society , between half of the population and half animal lover , animal lovers of ADEPT final solution to solve a major problem that the company faces . The population is divided , and the hatred between the two halves is horrendous . But besides this feeling of mutual hatred , which I think Romania is not needed at this stage of its development on a global crisis fund seemed endless , cooperation and solidarity but rather defining dimensions necessary thing happened extremely regrettable , affecting half of the population loving animals , loving people. It is a truth that needs to be proved , who loves animals , loves people , who does not love animals does not love any people , the latter are the ones who actually do the most harm people , society nation , the country in general , which I have not shown .

If you were to do a sketch of the person who loves animals and hence people might say that it is evil , irrational , cynical, conflict , throughout their life only made the rottenness and evil and wickedness he directs pus frustrated as many failures , especially personal , which is harder to see with the naked eye , thanks to the rule of dominant positions in society , temporal course, against a population of animals, dogs , so close man. (...)

But when some children are beaten regularly and not only when you get stones in the body associated with pain when you wake up with a boot in the belly or snap when I broke my nose with a kick is applied directly into the nose , flushing it blood or worse, when you are served instead of a morsel of bread, a bowl of antifreeze and die in agony or stay and live with sequels and unimaginable pain , how can you react? Those who today are complacent ordering mass murder on such explanations are complacent pain except their pain or relatives in the family , hence my horror at the thought of how we are different, even if we assume that we are all humans . (...)

Animal lovers people's lives changed radically from the time legislating mass murder on dog population . They live a hell , a nightmare constantly suffering enormous jerk sleep at night because of the macabre dreams , the appearance pound live dramas, trying to save their dogs to being strangers who are seen and considered , even before being caught , gentle on the sidewalk or in a corner of the building , or on the grass, not suspecting what awaits them , as victims of domestic atrocity " .

People are being exposed to the immense, ongoing cruelty performed by the dog catching business in Romania

The EU is powerless to prevent cruelty to animals. This is due to their self created red tape. In all the years they have existed, basic rights of animals have not been a priority for them. The campaign for protection of animals at the EU can be read here - Occupy For Animals.

This is an interesting extract of evidence presented to the Commissioner of Human Rights. 

The following is an excerpt of the report that Norah Babington has sent to the Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr Nils Muiznieks, as well as to the Sub-Committee on Human Rights at the EU:

"Since 2011, I have been gathering testimonies from Romania by people being exposed to the immense, ongoing cruelty performed by the dog catching business in Romania.

It has been an uphill struggle. People are afraid for their lives, traumatized by the violence, feeling vulnerable and powerless and unable to change the status quo.

They plead for help.

They state they have lost their humanity and any good quality of a descent life, by being forced to witness the sufferings and dying of the stray dogs and cats daily. But be aware of the fact that many dogs who have owners, even the ones walking in a leash with the owner on the streets, gets caught by the dogcatchers and dragged to the death camps, the so called Public Shelters (PS). People pay the dogcatchers weekly bribes in order to save their pet from a horrific death."

I believe that this consists a serious violation of their (EU) Human Rights.

"The Members of the European Parliament are flooded with messages from concerned people throughout the world who urge us for help in order to avoid a massacre of the Romanian stray dogs."

European Parliament's Intergroup on Welfare and Conservation of Animals. 

This letter is just not good enough. It is an extremely weak letter. One would have thought they could do better than that. 

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Dear President Basescu, 

It is with great sadness and concern that Members of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals address their second letter to you after their first appeal of last week was ignored.

We acknowledge and respect the Romanian Parliament’s adoption of a law which will allow local authorities to apply euthanasia of dogs that have stayed more than 14 days in a shelter.

The Romanian authorities will have now the duty and responsibility to enforce the law in a civilised and non-cruel way but given the sheer number of stray dogs in Bucharest and the whole of the country we have serious doubts that it will be possible.

We are concerned that it will end in a brutal massacre of dogs and would therefore like inquire if there exists already a strategy on how to apply the euthanasia campaign. If yes, we would like to have the details. Will it include as well dogs that have already been neutered? When and how will it be enforced? We hope that you will be able to provide us this information.

The very large stray dog populations in Romania are the result of bad management practices. Since many years NGOs have called to invest in systematic neutering campaigns and in education programmes for responsible dog ownership. This has been generally ignored and has resulted in the current situation.

The Members of the European Parliament are flooded with messages from concerned people throughout the world who urge us for help in order to avoid a massacre of the Romanian stray dogs.

We call on you and all competent authorities to ensure that uncontrolled killings of stray dogs will be avoided. Even though the European Union has little to say when it comes to companion animals it would be a shame before the international community to admit that cruel mass slaughters of dogs can still happen in the European Union of the 21st century.

 Please act now, so that worst can be avoided.

Sincerely,

Dan Jorgensen,

President of the Animal Welfare Intergroup

The Members of the Animal Welfare Intergroup undersigning this letter call on you not to promote the legalisation of systematic mass euthanasia of stray dogs

On 06/09/2013, Animal Welfare Intergroup

Dear President Băsescu,  

The Members of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals are deeply sorry for the recent death of a four-year-old boy who was attacked and mauled by a pack of stray dogs, after his grandmother had lost sight of him. This is a very sad casualty which should not have occurred.

The incident has raised again the unresolved issue of stray dogs in Bucharest and throughout Romania. We are aware that the dog that is being primarily held responsible for the attack had been released from a public shelter by a small animal rights organisation in Bucharest, thus violating the rule not to release a dog known to be aggressive. As a result, all animal welfare organisations are now blamed for protecting dogs more than people forgetting the very valuable work which has been done for years by organisations such as Vier Pfoten or Save the Dogs who have been running neutering campaigns and education programmes to fight against the abandonment of stray dogs.

In 2011 a large majority of the European Parliament adopted the  by Daciana Octavia Sârbu, Adina-Ioana Vălean, Elisabeth Jeggle, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Janusz Wojciechowski on dog population management in the European Union which calls on Member States to adopt comprehensive dog population management strategies which include measures such as dog control and anti-cruelty laws, support for veterinary procedures including rabies vaccination and sterilisation as necessary to control the number of unwanted dogs, and the promotion of responsible pet ownership.

A large majority of Romanian MEPs have also signed this declaration. Your call for a systematic mass killing of strays goes against the will of the democratically elected Romanian MEPs. This is something which we consider as profoundly undemocratic and unacceptable in the European Union.

The Members of the Animal Welfare Intergroup undersigning this letter call on you not to promote the legalisation of systematic mass euthanasia of stray dogs. This will cause a horrible and useless massacre of dogs which goes against the values and objectives of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union.

We hope that our voice will be heard and look forward to your reply.

Dan Jorgensen MEP, President

Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP, Vice-president

Andrea Zanoni MEP, Vice-president

Elisabeth Jeggle MEP, Honoaray President

Nadja Hirsch MEP, Vice-president

Jacqueline Foster, Vice-president