A referendum to decide whether to euthanize numerous stray dogs in the Romanian capital Bucharest will be organized for early October.

Triggered by the recent death of a four-year old who was attacked by stray dogs near a Bucharest park, the referendum will attempt to find out whether Bucharest inhabitants agree with the measure.

The actual question that will be asked via the local referendum will be: Do you agree with euthanasia for stray dogs captured on Bucharest's public domain, who will not be adopted within the legal deadline? Yes or no?”

The Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu will now propose the referendum question to the Bucharest City Council.

The council will also today decide the date of the vote, likely to be October 6.

By then, stray dogs will have been taken to the existing dog shelters in Mihailesti and Pallady.

The dogs will be kept in the shelters for seven days, during which they can be adopted.

If the majority will say yes during the referendum, the dogs will be euthanized after the seven-day period, according to the Bucharest mayor.

By law however dogs should stay in shelters for 14 days, during which they can be adopted.

editor@romania-insider.com