European Parliament
Dhaene (Verts/ALE ).
(NL)
Mr President, in my country, too, there is a group of people that is very concerned about these practices, and they want to put an end to them. They take it to the extent that they adopt these dogs and pay EUR 150 to do so. In Spain, there is a refuge as an intermediate point. The Council must ultimately go knocking on the door of the Member State that is accused of this, however, because we are indeed talking about mistreatment; it is not just a case of the transportation of these dogs. I think that the Council must take a position on this and make clear that animal rights apply throughout the EU. These dogs, which later become pets in my country, deserve a fair chance, respect and good treatment.

