Outrage as Romania votes to kill stray dogs

ROMANIAN lawmakers have voted to make it legal to euthanise the thousands of stray dogs that roam the country’s streets, angering animal rights activists who have lobbied for months to stop the measure.

Corruption fighters claim the measure is a cynical ploy to enrich local authorities because substantial funding will be allocated for the task.

Bucharest alone is home to an estimated 50,000 stray dogs, according to local media, and they are a part of city life, crossing the street, snoozing on sidewalks and even hopping on buses. But backers of the law say local governments must have the option to euthanise because the dogs are a public health hazard.