The illegal commerce with dogs reached the Western Europe, after the Eastern countries' accession to the European Union, Romania being one of the top figures in the phenomenon, said Roberto Benatti, vice president of the Italian Anti-Vivisection League, in an interview for cafebabel.com.

Commenting on Romania's legislation in the field, Benatti claimed that the illegal commerce with dogs spread to France, Italy and Germany.

"It is difficult to evaluate the size of this phenomenon. Various data indicate that some 10 million euros income were realized only in 2006 from this kind of commerce", says Benatti, in an article entitled “Protezione animali, Romania pecora nera” (Animal protection: Romania - The black sheep).

The Italian official said that Romania ranks first in trafficking dogs and also has the lowest rate in animal protection.