In November 2011 the UK Guardian reported on the animal slaughter sweeping through the Ukraine ahead of EURO 2012. The report included an image of a dog appearing to look at a poster highlighting the killing campaign. The report detailed how Ukrainian leaders were going to bow to Western pressure and put an end to the killing of street dogs and cats.

We have no doubt that the Guardian reported in good faith but it was a pack of lies.

The killing has continued but, apart from blogs such as this, and animal welfare groups and supporters trying to get the message out, mainstream media attention has been noticeable by its absence. To all extents and purposes it would appear problem solved, but it is far from that.

The latest estimates are that as many as 80,000 dogs and cats have been cruelly killed in the name of EURO 2012.

Did the money men and women, such as the backers of championships like EURO 2012, weigh in and put a stop to publicity? Did the media bow to football fans not wanting to alienate them?

We have news for you though not all football fans will approve of this mass slaughter all in the name of EURO 2012.

Here is today's update on the situation:

Our source as well as many others continues to work hard to stop this slaughter. Here is the latest letter that has been sent regarding the killing, this time to NatureWatch. It reads,

Mr. John Ruane, Director of Naturewatch 

Dear Mr. Ruane,  

Someone forwarded to me a copy of the letter you wrote to Mr. Plantini (UEFA) on 24th November 2011. (I am attaching said copy for the benefit of the recipients of my email).   Many of us in the U.K. (the country known for its animal lovers)  are ashamed of the fact that we seem to be the only country who have not made any effort at all to expose what has been going on every day for months in the Ukraine up until the end of last month. 

There have only been two follow up reports in April and May by the tabloid press and no mention on the TV news. http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/04/29/ukraine-caught-out-again-over-euro-2012-dog-slaughter-102039-23840991/   http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4296093/Pamela-Anderson-to-Euro-2012-football-chief-Michel-Platini-stop-the-dogs-slaughter.html  

also TEK Journalism UK have been reporting and updating http://www.tekjournalismuk.com/1/post/2012/05/uefa-football-ukraine-killing-dogs.html  

Germany has made a huge effort, with flags, posters and badges, also France, and there have been protests from Italy (notably the huge banner they took into the Stadium during the match between Inter-Milan and Marseilles a couple of months ago) 

There have also been protests in France, Spain, Hungary, Poland, a few brave minority groups in the Ukraine and even in Moscow.  The U.K.  zero!!!!!!!!!!!!  

When I read your letter, I was cringing with embarrassment that an organisation could be so naive as to believe the lies coming from the Ukraine Government.  Obviously it would be convenient for UEFA to believe this rubbish as it has all manner of implications, mostly financial, but for Naturewatch to fall for this, is unbelievable.  

I wonder if you have bothered to investigate this any further since November, in which case you would know that an estimated 250,000 dogs (including cats) have been destroyed, either by means of poisoning, beating to death or thrown into the infamous furnace whilst still alive.   

There have been forums, where in particular, a Russian forum was asking for help to go into the Ukraine for last minute "cleaning up" the streets and offered payment per carcase.  The diary of the events made very unpalatable reading.  I will forward you the relevant details of this and other correspondence with a Ukraine Embassy official (who is totally in denial of course).  

This is one of the most recent videos done at the end of May which might help to convince you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT05XhOX5TQ and another which even includes clips from Russia Today TV news http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhUzdso7How   There is so much evidence coming from the Ukraine, it is overwhelming but I wonder what part Naturewatch has played, if anything, since last November!!

The Guardian report in November 2011 claimed that government funding would be made available for shelters and neutering programs rather than slaughter. Has the money been made available? If it has, have corrupt officials sidelined the cash?

The Ukraine is not a wealthy country so killing would have been the cheapest option for them. That does not make it any more palatable. The Ukraine wanted the money that EURO 2012 would bring in. It is getting that by default. If the slaughter of animals had been publicised more by the mainstream media the murder would have stopped or people would have boycotted the games.

You however can still do your bit and boycott the games.

The fact that many animals have been burnt alive should sicken any decent person.

Videos include graphic images
Note while adding an updated youtube video we came across this terrible video of the slaughter of a hog. Are Ukrainians barbarians or just plain cruel? Youtube evidence shows the slaughter of street dogs and cats has been ongoing for at least two years.