VIA TRANSILVANICA TEAM

In the context of the increasing number of hikers on the trail, interactions between hikers and dogs also increase. In this situation, the Via Transilvanica team becomes a central actor in prevention, coordination, and balance, with the responsibility to integrate the legitimate interests of the pastoral community with hikers’ safety, along three clear axes: prevention, intervention, legal compliance.

The objective is clear: incidents should become exceptions, prevention should become the rule, and the rights of the dog should be respected. For clarity, the responsibilities of the Via Transilvanica team are civil in nature and in no way coercive, this role belonging exclusively to the authorities.

Operational responsibilities:

institutional coordination with authorities, based on protocols that need to be implemented nationally;
mapping sheepfolds and recurring risk areas, with seasonal updates;
establishing minimum security protocols: town hall – shepherds – Via Transilvanica team;
logistical cooperation in field interventions;
clear and constant information for hikers regarding appropriate conduct near sheepfolds;
marking risk areas, installing informational panels regarding correct conduct;
permanent dialogue with dog owners, shepherds, and competent authorities in the field;
adjusting the trail where conflict is impossible to avoid even after all preventive measures have been implemented.

Educational responsibilities:

drafting an integrated prevention and responsibility guide, intended to educate the involved actors;
drafting practical conduct guides for hikers and shepherds;
organizing educational communication and awareness sessions;
extended digital materials accessible via QR codes placed in risk areas;
integrating information into dedicated trail applications;
information campaigns for foreign tourists who are less familiar with the local pastoral context.

Protection of dog welfare:

supporting professional assessment carried out by specialists in canine behavior and promoting rehabilitation and responsible management solutions, rather than reflexive elimination;
combating abuse or disproportionate reactions against the animal;
support for behavioral assessment and training through protocols with NGOs specialized in canine rescue and rehabilitation.

Monitoring and reporting:

adopting a unified incident reporting system;
operating the single Via Transilvanica register with complete traceability: every incident recorded, tracked, and formally closed;
measuring results by adopting performance indicators such as: annual decrease in reported incidents, average response time to reports, percentage of sheepfolds compliant with the protocol, number of educational sessions carried out.