The IPN news agency identified some issues that affect the Chișinău municipality and asked the candidates who run for mayor of the capital to present solutions.
Octavian Țîcu, the National Unity Party candidate, said that the issue of homeless animals is due to lack of concern on behalf of the municipality. The candidate recalled that euthanasia of animals, the most primitive and barbarous approach to solving the problem, triggered protests. The candidate said that there are several solutions for this issue. A solution is the extension of the homeless animal asylum, which currently has a 400 animal capacity, while the demand reaches thousands.
Due to the municipality's limited resources, the animals without shelter are captured, sterilized then released. The candidate urged the residents of the capital to sterilize even house animals. Additionally, he urged residents to tame homeless animals. Octavian Ţîcu said that, in the spring of last year, he adopted two stray dogs. He took one home and sent the other one to his home village. "Chișinău is deficient in regard to several issues related to financing, however, due to our relations, we will adopt the experience of other European cities in order to solve the issue", said Octavian Țîcu.
Ivan Diacov, the Political Party "Partidul Nostru" candidate, said that the lack of effective control is the main cause for the issue of stray dogs, which have filled the streets of the capital. The candidate said that he will not attempt to "discover America" in order to solve this problem, but will repeat in Chișinău what the "Partidul Nostru" leader, Renato Usatîi, did in Balți. Ivan Diacov said that he will build a large-capacity asylum, equipped with everything needed for the animals, including a veterinary service that will sterilize the animals. "We will use the most humane solution", assured the candidate.
According to Ivan Diacov, another measure for solving the issues of animals without a shelter is the enforcement of pet owner responsibility. In order to prevent animals being abandoned, the candidate wants to make a pet census. Stiff fines will be applied if masters abandon their animals. Additionally, a mandatory minimum tax for pet owners will be applied. "In order to solve the problem, we will try to attract grants and redirect financial resources that currently are lost due to corruption schemes", said Ivan Diacov.
Vladimir Cebotari, the Democratic Party candidate, said that until now no one has seriously dealt with the problem of homeless animals in Chișinău. The candidate said that there are several organizations in the capital that could finance and contribute to the organization of placement centers for homeless animals. Additionally, the Chișinău City Hall has a series of unused and forgotten spaces, where the placement centers for homeless animals could be organized.
According to Vladimir Cebotari, the costs of maintaining these centers can be optimized by requesting help from different public organizations and associations. The candidate is sure that there will be many volunteers who will be glad to get involved in order to take care of these animals. Vladimir Cebotari only supports euthanasia in the case of sick animals that pose a health hazard to the citizens.
