Cruel treatment of stray animals in Ukraine may cause boycott of Euro 2012, Princess of Hohenzollern says
Kyiv, November 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ambassador of the European Animal and Nature Protection Association Her Royal Highness Princess Maja von Hohenzollern (Germany) has appealed to the Ukrainian authorities to take all measures to stop the cruel treatment of stray animals.
"Not only Ukrainians, but also all of Europe was shocked by the methods used to kill animals, which are being cremated in mobile crematoria, poisoned, and buried while partially alive," the princess told Interfax agency at the press conference in Kyiv on Thursday.
She said that lately the association had received many photos depicting the cruel treatment of stray dogs. The association has drawn up a petition for Ukrainian government with the demand that such practices be stopped, with about 500,000 people from various countries having signed it.
"We came to draw country's attention to this problem and demand concrete action," the princess of Hohenzollern said.
She also added that the association was ready to render aid to sterilize stray animals, sending vets and special equipment, and also instruct Ukrainian vets about new methods of sterilization.
The princess also said that she had visited a veterinary clinic in Kyiv where animals are being sterilized.
"I was very surprised when I saw a great number of animals that were cold, as were the clinic's personnel, as the clinic couldn't pay its heating bills," she said.
There are many appeals to boycott Euro 2012, which could harm Ukraine's image and harm the idea of football itself," Princess Maja said.
If the Ukrainian authorities do not react to association's appeal appropriately, then the animal rights activists will appeal to the official sponsors of Euro 2012, the princess said.
"It's quite possible that they will decide that pictures with bloodied animals are not good for them and they will refuse [to back the event in Ukraine]," she said.
President of Germany's ETN European Animal and Nature Protection Organization Dieter Ernst said that a boycott of Euro 2012 would probably not lead to its cancellation, as UEFA would not allow it.
"But at least we would get on their nerves," he said.
Ernst also said that he together with the princess would give a report on the problem at the European Parliament on November 22.
President of the SOS International Animal Protection Society Tamara Tarnawska said the situation with stray animals differs from region to region. She said that the most unfavorable situation was in the eastern region. There, the practice of using of mobile crematoria is even used, she said.