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MEPS see Shock Film on Ukraine Animal Cruelty
In early March in Brussels we presented to MEPS and the Media undercover footage that graphically showed strays being clubbed and poisoned on the streets of Kyiv.
MEPs said the video evidence was shocking and barbaric and promised to write to President Viktor Yushchenko and urge him to intervene to stop the slaughter. One MEP said, “The Way these dogs are treated is absolutely shameful – there is no excuse for cruelty on such a large scale, and this video footage will do immense damage to the way Ukraine is perceived in the EU.” The event was attended by Tamara Tarnawksa, president of the Kyiv SPA-SOS and supported by Christian Janatsch who heads Tierhilfswerk Austria. Many interviews took place which ensured the story reached far and wide.
Following on from the Brussels presentation we have pursued a number of avenues and initiatives in order to put Ukraine’s President and the Mayor of Kyiv under pressure to end the cruel treatment of strays and, instead, to adopt a humane stray control programme. Also, Caroline Lucas MEP is in the process of submitting a Written Declaration on our behalf, which then has 3 months to be signed by more than 50% of MEPs in order for it to be adopted. The Declaration covers the welfare of stray animals in EU Member States, EU Accession Countries (such as Romania) and other European States (such as Ukraine). The Declaration urges the Commission and Council to support European States in implementing humane stray control programmes, including the allocation of funds where appropriate.
Naturewatch, together with other international organisations who support the pioneering animal welfare activities of the Kyiv Society for the Protection of Animals “SOS”, have, over the years, offered assistance to the City of Kyiv in adopting a humane stray control programme but our offers have never been acknowledged. Naturewatch remains willing to provide the services of an independent, internationally respected expert in this field to humanely and effectively tackle the issue of stray control in Kyiv. A review of the current situation would be undertaken and, upon completion, a workable set of solutions would be presented to the city authorities in order to humanely and effectively tackle the issue. The city authorities would need to agree to accept, implement and fund any such proposal with help and advice upon their implementation.
At the end of March elections took place in Kyiv which resulted in a new Mayor being elected. Leonid Chernovetsky is Kyiv's first new mayor in a decade! He is said to be a Christian activist and very committed to the truth - which could mean good news for the animals. Our representative in Ukraine, Tamara Tarnawska, will be contacting Mayor Chernovetsky shortly in order to discuss the unacceptable treatment of stray animals in Kyiv and further action will depend upon his response. We’ll keep you posted.
See the Written Declaration tabled by Caroline Lucas MEP here
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