In the News

A death sentence hanging over stray dogs in Romania has prompted a team of animal lovers in the Isle of Man to send aid to help them.

In the capital, Bucharest, alone there are around 65,000 stray dogs – many of them abandoned by owners rehoused in high rise blocks under the Ceausescu regime.

After a child was killed by a pack of the dogs, a campaign was mounted for a canine cull to rid the country of its stray animals.

Pam Goldie, who is part of a rescue campaign started on the social media site Facebook recently, said because the animals were branded as pests they were often subject to extreme cruelty.

'I know we can't go there and save all of them, but we can do something to help so we are collecting food, dog toys, medicines, leads, brushes, dog beds, coats – anything people can spare to send out there to help,' she said.

Since the Facebook campaign got under way she said people had been generous with donations, which were to be shipped to Romania, courtesy of Manx Independent Carriers. Pam's contacts in Romania are building shelters for rescued animals to be taken in and, where possible, rehomed. Meanwhile, she and her friends are collecting as many other items as possible to send over to help out.

Anyone who has anything to donate can contact Pam on 464140. There are dropping off points around the island or, if necessary, volunteers will call to collect donations.