Stray Dogs
About stray dogs: It is said that if you dream that a dog bites you, you might fight with somebody… As you may have heard or experienced, stray dogs are sometimes a threat to public safety. If you are bitten by a dog you must immediately go to a hospital and in Bucharest the only place to get rabies shots is at
Matei Bals Institute:
Adress: 1 Calistrat Grozovici St. (Behind Colentina hospital)
Phone: +40212 010 980
Web: www.mateibals.ro (website in Romanian language)
There the vaccination costs 68 RON. The local authorities can pick stray dogs up, but there is a special department (part of City Hall) which deals with them.
Administratia pentru Supravegherea Cainilor fara Stapan
Address: 2, Selari St.
Phone: +40 21-312 95 55
Web: www.asa-bucuresti.ro/asa/
The website is only in Romanian, and people working at this department speak hardly any English, so you may want to have a Romanian friend make a call. You can also call “Four Paws” (or Vier Pfoten) which is a non-profit organization that takes care of (or picks up) stray dogs.
VIER PFOTEN Romania
Address: 42, Theodor Aman, St., suite 6, Sector 1
Phone: +40 21- 316 77 31
Web: www.vierpfoten.ro
Another new program through Four Paws is the Stray Animal Care project, which started in 2002 and tries to implement a project of sterilization. Contact Anca Tomescu, the coordinator of the program for more info.
Hint! You can also check out The GIA (Group Initiative for Animals Association), which offers animal care on a large scale- see the NGO section for more details!
Stray dogs are not just to be felt sorry for, however. There are other serious issues that arise from their presence as well. Attacks on people do occur and there have been some famous and fatal examples of this. For this reason we have put together a brief FAQ section here for you.
Question: How can I avoid being bitten by a dog?
Answer: Never approach an unknown dog, especially one that is tied, confined behind a fence, or in a car. Never pet a stray dog. Even if you know the owner, always let the dog sniff you first. Never turn your back to a dog and run away; a dog’s natural instinct is to chase and catch you. Don’t disturb a dog while it’s sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy, or caring for puppies. Be cautious: always assume that the dog sees you as an intruder or a threat. Also, remember that dogs form packs and are more prone to attacking you than lone stray dogs.
Question: What should I do if I think a dog may attack?
Answer: If a dog that you think may attack confronts you, follow these steps:
- Never scream and run.
- Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog.
- Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until it is out of sight.
- If the dog does attack, “feed” him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog.
- If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.
Question: What should I do if I am bit by a dog?
Answer: If you are bitten or attacked by a dog, try not to panic. Immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water, and contact your physician for additional care and advice.
Question: What about my children?
Answer: The most important lessons for children to learn are to avoid dogs they don’t know, and not to stare them in the eyes.
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