The Problem of Stray Dogs in Romania Between Reality and Fiction, Cruelty and Stupidity, Corruption and Business
In Romania, the problem of the stray dogs, of the cruelty and lack of rationality with which these animals are managed has become a true social phenomenon by its considerable psychological, emotional, ethical, media, financial, legal, and even public health related impact on a large part of the public.
The existence of stray dogs - perpetual by the application of absurd, stupid or inefficient regulations - has been turned by indolent or corrupt authorities, as well as the interested circles they are hand in glove with (with the help of the politically or economically controlled media) into an abject industry, a source of profit, power, and media rating, into an instrument of repression and blackmail, into inexhaustible electoral capital, and evidently, into a convenient excuse for absurdly spending, and embezzling public money.
The problem of stray dog population management has at times produced tragedies hard to describe. It has split the Romanian society, and generated extremist manifestations of hatred of animals, of hatred and discrimination of the NGOs, and any animal lover in general, thus revealing the limitations of a collective mentality incompatible with the values of an advanced society, a cynical, aggressive and primitive mentality that grants no more consideration to feeling beings than to waste that needs destroying.
The manner in that stray dogs are treated in Romania has placed NGOs and the state on irreconcilable positions. It has led to serious breaches of citizens' fundamental rights (the right to dignity, equal rights without privileges and discrimination, the right to own animals, the right to privacy, the right to personal data protection), and it has destroyed the lives of many people that are generously involved in the endless cycle of saving animals that are mistreated and threatened with extermination by the state, and this often beyond their power. It has broken the natural connection between the revolted citizens and the authorities committing or covering up the cruelties, and last but not least, has breached the citizens' right to health protection by undermining the strategic national rabies vaccination program of dogs.
The following brochure is a summary presentation of the evolution of this phenomenon and its current state.
Online version will be available for public viewing within shortly!