The animal rights organization “Alga” intends to sue Chisinau Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca over the recently announced decision to put unwanted stray dogs to sleep, Valentina Dudnic, the chairwoman of the organization, has told Info-Prim Neo. Valentina Dudnic says she is profoundly upset by Chirtoaca's decision. “The City Hall did nothing to prevent this shameful situation for our country. The mayor's words is mere populism; he fails to understand that euthanasia equals murder”, she said. According to her, the mayor is not authorized to decide such matters. “The bill on animal protection was passed in first reading and Dorin Chirtoaca cannot issue such decisions”, Dudnic argued. Valentina Dudnic says the mayor has no arguments when he claims that sterilization is not an option. “Of course the mayor will say that neutering yields no result, because he never intended to allocate money for the sterilization of stray dogs. We will ring the alarm bells on all levels, because this issue cannot be solved in this way”. According to her, the stray dogs are inoffensive and don't attack people unless provoked. “The dogs are absolutely harmless, they are gentle and kind. But the kids today are very aggressive, and I do not exclude the possibility that that dog was provoked”, says Dudnic, referring to the recent case where a 10-year-old boy was wounded by a pack of dogs. Valentina Dudnic went on to add that she would suggest the authorities to introduce a course on animal protection in schools. “The younger generations are disinterested and even inconsiderate of the animals, but this course will teach the children that the animals are living creatures that need care and love”. The animal rights organization “Alga” will soon hold a press conference to further raise public awareness of the issue. Mayor Dorin Chirtoaca announced on Monday that the stray dogs inhabiting the city and its outskirts would be put to sleep unless they are claimed by their owners or adopted by others within 10 days, under a City Council's decision from 2001. The municipal authorities decided to reestablish the old rule in response to what they called a growing threat from the packs of homeless dogs and the increase in the incidence of dog bites.