Over 60 percent of Romanians don’t agree with euthanasia of stray dogs, 28 percent support this solution, but only seven percent would adopt a stray dog, according to a study conducted by Mercury at the request of Vier Pfoten, cited by local Mediafax newswire. Moreover, 64 percent of the respondents are not willing to adopt a stray dog.

A total of 66 percent wouldn’t vote for a party that supports euthanasia, while a quarter of Romanians would.

Most respondents, namely 62 percent, believe that Romania’s image will suffer because of euthanasia of stray dogs, while a quarter think this will not affect the country’s image.

Also, more Romanians than those who are against euthanasia support other solutions: catching and keeping stray dogs in shelters (63 percent said they strongly agree this solution, 21 percent - agree, 5 percent were undecided, 4 percent - don’t agree, 7 percent - strongly disagree), and sterilization, identification and return to the territory (49 percent - strongly agree, 23 percent - agree, 8 percent - undecided, 7 percent - disagree, 13 percent - strongly disagree).

However, only seven percent of Romanians are really willing to adopt a stray dog, while 11 percent are willing to some extent. Over 60 percent are not at all willing to adopt, Mediafax reports.

People aged between 18 and 24 are most willing to adopt a stray dog, while the less willing are Romanians aged over 54. However, those who have children are less likely to adopt, than those without children.

The study was conducted by Mercury Research in April 2014, on a sample of over 1,200 people aged over 18.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com