Today Brigitte Bardot Saved the Lives Of 100,000 Dogs

March 1, 2001 Bucharest, Romania

Despite recent criticism and ridicule from naysayers and skeptics alike, international superstar Brigitte Bardot scored an unprecedented victory for the dogs this morning.  About 100,000 Romanian pooches have been given a last-minute reprieve, thanks to her diplomatic efforts and almost $150,000 that she's agreed to donate over the next two years.

Under the direction of mayor Traian Basescu, the Romanian capital city had been preparing for a wholesale extermination of homeless street dogs to begin tomorrow.  For weeks, Ms. Bardot has been in Bucharest negotiating, pleading and fighting for their lives—a cause that most had dismissed as being hopeless.

In the end it was most probably her tact and charm that won over the mayor, who said, ""Her support, compared to others, is more effective."

Ms. Bardot said with a smile, "It is better to have a gentleman's agreement than to fight with people when you want a result."

The two have just signed a deal where the city's $1.5 million "slaughter fund" will instead be applied to rounding up and de-lousing strays, while Foundation Brigitte Bardot will oversee the spaying/neutering processes with the help of Vienna-based animal group Vier Pfoten (Four Paws).

Mayor Basescu indicated that only the dangerous, old or terminally ill dogs will be killed.  Ms. Bardot has faith that the Romanian people will happily adopt the healthy strays, and she has agreed to take charge of the ones that are unclaimed.

"We have to convince the people of Bucharest, who are dog lovers, to treat their dogs like they treat their children and not just let them roam the streets," she said.

Born in Paris, the daughter of an engineer, Brigitte Bardot quickly rose to stardom as a teenage model, actress and sex-symbol.  After an overwhelmingly successful career, she decided to retire from the limelight in 1974, having been enlightened and horrified at uncovering the plight of abused animals during her extensive travels.

Since then Ms. Bardot has dedicated her life to animal welfare and rights.  Even long before then, Ms. Bardot had been increasingly active in the realm of animal advocacy.  In 1962 she won a promise from the French government that animals will be stunned before slaughter (for food), a practice that superseded the old "barbarian methods".

In 1987 she auctioned off many of her jewels and personal treasures in order to raise the 3 million francs required by French law to create Foundation Brigitte Bardot.  The foundation is an animal rights group, old-age home for animals (Normandy), and reception home for dogs & cats (Paris), currently headquartered in Paris and over 40,000 members strong.  You may email them at f-b-bardot@calva.net.

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