Representatives of several public organizations and civic activists insist on passing a law on animal protection. Today, October 4, when World Animal Day is celebrated, their advocates say that the situation of stray animals in Moldova poses serious concern, as there are no measures to protect, sterilize, vaccinate and place them in specialized shelters, as it happens worldwide. According to NGOs, the legal provisions in force that punish cruelty towards animals are useless. So far no criminal case on such charges has ever been tried in court.
At a press conference with IPN, lawyer Ion Dron has said that the framework- law has been prepared and presented to the authorities for three years, but it has been ignored. "What kind of social comfort can there be when you go out and see these animals, and the cruelty with which they are killed? And we ask ourselves whether or not a child's psychology is affected when he/she sees what is happening. In the United States, scientific research has long ago proven that there is a direct causal relationship between cruelty to animals and domestic violence,” noted lawyer Ion Dron.
Irina Iacovenco, the chairperson of "Jiva" public organization, mentioned that the seven or eight private shelters in Chisinau, which have taken on the responsibilities of the authorities, are full. In her opinion, the municipality must implement a program to support these shelters, by compensating for the services of sterilization, vaccination, expenses for water and sewerage, etc. The activist mentioned that a mass sterilization program for pets is needed. And not just for stray animals. A solution would be partnerships between authorities and private veterinary clinics.
Galina Cighir, the founder of "AOVA" shelter, expressed her indignation over the careless attitude of authorities towards the stray animals. The activist says she sent dozens of requests for a place to be provided for the arrangement of a shelter, but all went unanswered. Galina Cighir says that many animals are abandoned near the shelter she administers, but there is no room for them. In addition, a parliamentarian recently complained to the authorities in charge, demanding the evacuation of the shelter. "By evacuation we can understand only one thing - the killing of animals, because there is no place to evacuate it," said Galina Cighir.
Roman Trahman, head of the Animal Control Service of "Autosalubritate" enterprise, believes that we have come to this situation because of the inaction of authorities. For 20-25 years, animals have only been moved from one sector to another upon complaints, without any vaccination or sterilization. In the absence of a firm intervention, the situation will worsen year by year.
Valentina Dudnic, chairperson of the Association for the protection of animals "Alga", has witnessed many cases of cruelty towards animals. The activist calls for understanding and responsibility when it comes to animals. Or, the attitude towards animals denotes the level of education in society, says Valentina Dudnic.
Political scientist Eduard Volcov has been involved in defending the rights of animals for five years, since he learned about the mass killing of about 50 puppies in the capital. Animal rights defenders insist on passing a draft law that would protect the stray animals and would prohibit the euthanasia of healthy animals. In his opinion, the situation can be improved through a comprehensive vaccination and sterilization program.
