Acknowledging Naturewatch's success, UEFA welcomes the immediate ban on the killing of stray dogs, which has been announced by the Ukrainian government and looks forward to its successful implementation.

UEFA has been thanked for its key role in persuading the Ukrainian authorities to immediately stop the killing of stray dogs and implement measures that respect the dignity of animals.

In a letter to UEFA President Michel Platini, Naturewatch, a UK-based, non-profit animal welfare campaigning organisation, expressed its appreciation for UEFA's successful and concerted efforts, which resulted in an immediate ban on the killings being announced last month.

Naturewatch's campaign and fundraising director John Ruane wrote: "I am grateful to UEFA for taking this matter up with top government officials over the past two years ... I am pleased to inform you that on 13 November in Kyiv, I had a meeting with the minister of the environment, Mr Mykola Zlochevsky. He agreed to adopt amendments to the Ukrainian legislation regarding the treatment of stray animals, and acted upon a further Naturewatch request of an immediate moratorium on the killing of stray animals to be implemented."

Mr Ruane added that Mr Zlochevsky had asked Naturewatch "to provide the Ukrainian authorities with best practices on shelter construction and humane stray population programmes" and Naturewatch informed UEFA that it will be visiting Ukraine again shortly with appropriate proposals.

Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Mr Mykola Azarov, has instructed humane stray animal control schemes to be implemented across Ukraine and for laws to be more rigorously enforced to prevent the mistreatment of animals.  

Mr Azarov has charged heads of relevant ministries and departments, and heads of regional state administrations to consult with the community, and to recruit international expertise and practices to address the country’s stray animal control problem.

In addition, the government’s press service has stated that the government will utilise all legal means to prevent and punish those involved in the mistreatment of animals.

Mr Azarov has charged the Ministry of Regional Development, Construction and Housing to carry out an official audit of the stray animal problem in order to ascertain the extent of the problem in all cities, villages and towns.

The Ministry of Interior has been instructed to tighten and toughen controls to stop incidents of animal abuse and cruelty.  In addition, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine has prepared amendments to legislation regarding the treatment of stray animals to ensure it is more rigorously enforced.

In addition, a national programme to build shelters in the largest cities of Ukraine is underway.  The Ministry of Natural Resources has asked the city councils to allocate land to build shelters for stray dogs and has expressed a willingness to consider financing their construction.  The cities of Chernihiv and Kiev have already allocated land.

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2012

Jan - Nikolai Zlochevsky to implement demands to protect stray animals

Jan - The Minister of Environment agrees to list of demands from animal welfare group

Jan - Government implements change in law for benefit of stray animals and allocates funds to build shelters for stray animals

2011

Dec - Zlochevsky Minister informs the Austrian delegation on the issue of stray animals

Dec - City government is working closely with NGOs on problems of homeless animals

Dec - Ukrainian government agrees to a six-month moratorium on animal control killing

Dec - Ministry of environment supports the construction of shelters in Kyiv

Nov - Ukraine calls for an end to the killing of stray dogs

Nov - Government seeks a civilised and humane solution to the problem of stray animals

Nov - Ukrainian Prime Minister instructs for humane treatment of stray animals

Nov - Ministry of Environment will set up shelters for stray dogs

Nov - Environment Minister, Nicholas Zlochevsky: "I will not accept inhumane attitude towards homeless animals"

Nov - Minister Zlochevsky: “The responsibility of local authorities for solving the problem of stray animals will become more rigid.”

Nov - Minister of Environment is addressing the problem of stray dogs