Can I feed the stray dogs on the street?
It depends on the local rules: occasional feeding isn't banned everywhere, but raising/sheltering on public domain is. Under GEO 155/2001, a "stray dog" is any dog raised, sheltered or kept on public domain, in public places or adjacent spaces, outside the owner's property. The Constitutional Court (Decision 1/2012) established that raising and sheltering dogs on public domain is banned. In other words, occasionally feeding a dog isn't, in itself, banned nationally, but keeping, sheltering or "adopting" it on the street (creating a pack maintained in a public place) falls under the ban. Note: more and more town halls have introduced, through local rules, sanctions for feeding community dogs in certain areas, citing the risk to citizens. In short: check the local rules — in some cities feeding in certain places is fined, and sheltering on public domain is banned anyway.
📋 The rules
- Raising/sheltering dogs on public domain: banned
- "Stray dog" = kept outside the owner's property
- Occasional feeding: not banned nationally
- Some town halls: local sanctions for feeding in certain areas
- Managing dogs: the local authorities' task
🔓 Exceptions
- Authorised shelters (public/associations): a lawful regime
- Responsible adoption (microchipping, registration): allowed
- Different local rules: check the town hall's regulation
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Raising or sheltering dogs on public domain is banned; failing to ensure shelter and care conditions (for those who effectively take on caring for a pack) can be fined, usually between 1,000 and 3,000 lei. In localities that adopted their own regulations, feeding community dogs in certain areas can bring local fines. Managing stray dogs falls to the local councils, through capture, sheltering and sterilisation programmes. To help community dogs lawfully: check your town hall's regulation; if you want to help a dog permanently, take it into your care responsibly (microchipping, registration, shelter on your property) or work with an authorised shelter or association; and avoid creating feeding spots that gather packs in public spaces, especially where local rules ban it.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Is it banned to feed dogs on the street?
Not automatically at national level. Occasionally feeding a dog isn't, in itself, banned by law. By contrast, raising or sheltering dogs on public domain is banned. In addition, some town halls have introduced, through local rules, sanctions for feeding community dogs in certain areas.
What does "stray dog" mean?
Under GEO 155/2001, a stray dog is any dog raised, sheltered or kept on public domain, in public places or adjacent spaces, outside the owner's property. The Constitutional Court established that raising and sheltering dogs on public domain is banned.
Can I be fined for feeding community dogs?
Yes, in localities that adopted their own regulations to that effect. Some town halls introduced sanctions for feeding community dogs in certain areas, citing the risk to citizens. So it's important to check your town hall's local regulation before feeding them regularly in a public place.
How can I lawfully help a street dog?
The safest is to take it into your care responsibly — microchipping, RECS registration, shelter on your property — or to work with a public shelter or an authorised animal-protection association. Avoid creating feeding spots that gather packs in public spaces, especially where local rules ban it.
Who deals with stray dogs?
Managing stray dogs falls to the local public administration authorities — local and county councils — through capture, transport, sheltering and sterilisation programmes. If there are stray dogs causing problems, you can report it to the town hall or the local specialised service to intervene.
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