The street dog problem seems to be the only thing that managed to spark general interest in Braila. The poll initiated by the "Obiectiv-Vocea Brailei" paper got aprox 1,900 votes. The solutions for the street dogs problem are three and they are fairly simple: 1. Euthanize 2. Sterilize and release 3. Catch and put in shelters. It doesn't take much intelligence nor sophistication, nor does one have to be a rock star, not even an animal lover to realize that two of the three solutions have problems. To euthanize, for example, any way you look at it, is an act of violence. Humans have a grown sensitivity towards any attack on life. Some convinced that this is how God has made them, have a natural aversion against such a solution and become militant, even in delicate and contradictory situations, against solutions to exclude killing. But I have good news for the darwinists, for those who are convinced that they evolved from apes: Even chimps who over thousands of years have proven that they are not interested in computers, are horrified when they see a group of humans enter their forests and hunt down any form of life that crosses their paths.

The second solution of capturing and putting animals in shelters first of all, is not a practical one and secondly an "ethical" problem. The practical problem lies in the following truth said without resentment and a dose of humor: We can barely organize five people to stand in line, let alone assure that thaousands of dogs live relatively normal between held between nets. And as far the "ethics" are concerned, I have a question: How many of you have seen a dog shelter, executed with Romanian "technique" and "science"? I saw one. I have yet to get rid of the apocalyptical picture of terrifying scenes out of a horror movie. Screams, fights, dogs hitting the nets, guards with rubber boots and sticks, an unbelievable mess.

Then, a dog with his ribs sticking through its skin, in agony, another one in heat, another one ... I won't go on. A good place to bring your child and say, "Look, this is how problems are solved and remember them for the time when you grown up and have to make decisions like an adult, like a man!"

The third solution, sterilize and release, seems to be the only one at which end you can say, "Those who took this decision have the judgment of an adult and their psychic and soul are healthy." Probably this solution is also the most difficult one, I have to admit. And is also the most expensive one, I am not sure. What encourages me is the fact that 65% voted for it. Considering this position, it would be more than necessary to add mayor Simionescu's position. A clear cut one, no doubts, Simionescu's human position. This delicate matter cannot be a matter of electoral calculations or democracy. It is obvious, we don't quite know what to do with life—may it be a dog's life. Or with people's lives, I rest my case.

Well, if there are doubts as to how humans should react confronted with a situation like this, there is a shameful but healthy solution, to ask yourself, if you are capable. Through mail or phone the city hall reps are able to contact the large European organizations for animal protection and ask for council. All they need is a little bit of English. Those people who work there are not crazy, as commonly believed around here, who put tassels on crocodiles. No, they are specialized people with the necessary experience to solve such complex problems, which we can not.

I have faith that the solution will be a wise one with some heart.

Cea de-a treia solutie - sterilizarea si eliberarea pe strazi - pare a fi singura la capatul careia sa se poata spuna: cei care au luat aceasta decizie au puterea de judecata a unor oameni maturi, sunt sanatosi psihic si sufleteste. Probabil ca aceasta solutie este si cea mai complicata, nu zic nu! Si poate ca este si cea mai costisitoare, nu stiu! Ceea ce ma bucura este faptul ca, din numarul total de voturi, 65% au fost pentru aceasta solutie. Iar în oglinda cu aceasta pozitie, ar fi mai mult ca necesara si pozitia primarului Simionescu. O pozitie clara, transanta, fara niciun dubiu, o pozitie a omului Simionescu. În aceasta chestiune delicata nu se mai pot face calcule electorale sau sa se invoce democratia. Dupa cum se vede, nu prea stim ce sa facem cu viata, fie ea si a câinilor. Cu a oamenilor, ce sa mai vorbim...

Ma rog! Daca sunt dubii cu privire la cum trebuie sa reactioneze omul în fata unei asemenea situatii, exista si solutia rusinoasa, dar sanatoasa, de a întreba, daca nu te pricepi. Prin mail sau prin telefon, reprezentantii primariei pot contacta marile organisme europene de protectie a animalelor si sa ceara consiliere. Nu trebuie decât putintica engleza. Indivizii care lucreaza acolo nu sunt, asa cum se crede pe la noi, niste cretini care urasc oamenii si pun pampoane la crocodili. Nu, oamenii sunt specializati si au si experienta necesara, tocmai în a rezolva astfel de probleme complicate, pe care noi, înca, nu le putem descurca...

Am speranta ca solutia va fi una înteleapta si cu putin suflet.