Good News from Romania. Also, Dewey Defeats Truman.

May 1, 2001 Bucharest, Romania

Sorry, folks.  There's really not a whole lot of good news.  But I figured, if the Chicago Daily Tribune can botch a headline, then so can I.

The situation in Romania, particularly in the capital city Bucharest, has reached genocidal proportions.  The mayor and a strong supporting faction have declared a savage war on all stray dogs, thereby killing hundreds each day.

Though political opposition is mounting, perhaps offering some distant glimmer of hope, the brutality still continues.  Six city-run shelters, heavily guarded by armed militia, now operate as death camps where, behind locked doors, an estimated 600 dogs meet their demise daily—that's one dog every minute.

But you might consider those the lucky ones; reports of self-appointed, vigilante killers have been confirmed, describing how street beatings, shooting and strangulation are the more popular forms of "euthanasia".

Perhaps out of respect for the word's true meaning, Mayor Traian Basescu declared in an April 26 press conference that the word "euthanasia" will no longer be used, instead replacing it with "liquidation" and "abolition".

The violence is certainly not limited to dogs, either.  There has arisen such a furious animosity between dog-lovers and dog-haters, that the brutality now affects every citizen.

According to a news bulletin aired on PrimaTV, April 26, several unidentified assailants broke into an elderly woman's apartment on Foisorului Street.  With wooden clubs, they beat the woman and her three dogs, then seized the dogs and threw them over the balcony, killing all.  The woman was taken to a hospital.

Images of the aftermath have been published here, but you might want to just take my word for it and skip the pictures.

Our correspondent Iulia Rauta in Bucharest reports:

Mayor Basescu had succeeded to spread the hatred between people.  Probable, by his plan, we will end to kill each other.

Fantastic as it may sound, Mayor Basescu's extermination plan is largely supported by Romanian citizens.  A survey conducted by the BCS polling institute shows that 71% back the killings, while only 16% oppose it.  It is unclear who has sponsored this poll.

What is being done?

Public outcry, protests and demonstrations have been attended by hundreds of Romanians and even members of the Romanian Parliament.  Political opponents have openly denounced the mayor's stance.  There was a bomb threat in the mayor's office last week (during which the disbelieving mayor chose to remain in the building with his staff and continue operations).

There are no animal cruelty laws in Romania (although one measure has been pending for several years), and even the Prime Minister himself appears to be ineffectual.

In a statement made April 27, Romanian President Ion Illescu declared, "I think Mr. Basescu exaggerates and he does wrong by not considering the reaction of the public opinion, both internal and international. I suggested Mr. Basescu to come down with his legs on the earth, to have, first of all, a discussion with the municipal councillors, to reach a common option and conclusion."

Mayor Basescu made no positive response.

There seems to be no immediate chance for a resolution, other than through the fragmented efforts of a few strong, dedicated individuals.

Those who haven't the patience or the stomach to wait for Mayor Basescu's change of heart have organized in small groups, taking immediate action.  There are people in Romania and across Europe who are very determined and gracious to anyone who wishes to become involved.

The following people are among those who hope to safeguard, hide or otherwise transport as many healthy, sterilized dogs out of the country as they can.  Contact them directly, if you are able to accomodate even a single dog:

• Iulia Rauta

• Adina Gradea (ANIMA)

• Dr. Adrian Victor Sufaru (CLAF)

• Anca Tomescu (Vier Pfoten) English

• Animaux Sans Frontiers, Belgium

• www.paw-europe.com, Belgium

Sign an on-line petition: www.petitiononline.com/ropet/

So if we've been sitting around wondering where's the cavalry, it's now becoming increasingly apparent: we are the cavalry.  Saddle up, everyone; it's going to be a bumpy ride.

§§§

^Articles