Mayor of Chisinau Dorin Chirtoaca considers that euthanasia is the main solution that can help reduce the number of stray dogs. Replying to the criticism leveled by animal protection organizations, the mayor said the Chisinau administration will continue to solve the problem of stray dogs in accordance with the European practices and the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals adopted by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg in 1987, Info-Prim Neo reports. The mayor makes reference to the Convention, which says that when a state considers that the number of animals without owners represents a problem, it should take measures to reduce the number of these animals by catching, sheltering or euthanizing them. According to Chirtoaca, Moldova has a draft law on the owning and protection of animals that was adopted by the Parliament in first reading in 2007. This bill contains many of the provisions of the Convention and is promoted and supported by animal protection organizations working in Chisinau. Article 17 of the bill is titled “Euthanasia of Sick Animals”. It says the sick animals, the animals that have rabies or attacked persons, including the dogs that form part of the group of dangerous animals, can be euthanized. The mayor expressed his regret that the problem of stray dogs causes conflicts in the society. He stressed that they must address the problem taking into account the necessity of ensuring the security of the people, first of all of the children. Dorin Chirtoaca said 305 children were bitten by dogs in Chisinau in 2008, while in 2009 the number rose to 347. The total number of dog bite cases in 2008 was 1,388, while in 2009 - 1,443. Last summer, an employee of the Green Spaces Association died after he was attacked by dogs.