We are concerned about the evident increase in the number of stray dogs in Sarajevo, especially abandoned, very young dogs, which we have learned about in numerous reports, and which we have witnessed ourselves. It is important to note that Dogs Trust, in addition to its other programmes that are still carried out in Sarajevo, closed the dog neutering program in the Sarajevo Canton in 2019, transferring its limited resources to other parts of the country with the same problem, and after seven years of funding the mass neutering campaign in this city. The result was about 80% neutered dogs on the street, which brought the population under control, prevented tens of thousands of new litters from ending up on the street, and caused a noticeable decline in the number of street dogs. In addition to the dog neutering, the extremely valuable support also refers to all other programmes aimed at helping to solve the problem of stray dogs, including the significantly strengthened capacity of the veterinary profession, as well as technical and advisory assistance to local authorities, which we urged even then to use our results and continue to work systematically on this issue, after we created the preconditions for it at our own expense. Around 3,000 stray dogs were registered in Sarajevo in 2019, which is significantly less than the 12,000 we found in 2012.
Unfortunately, despite our appeals, significant results and great efforts and investments, the problem has now become increasingly recurrent in Sarajevo and threatens to escalate again. The irresponsibility of owners and the abandonment of dogs are gaining momentum again, as well as inhumane treatment of dogs, and a rise of unregistered shelters and boarding houses, still mostly without sanctions from the responsible authorities.
The dog population management system, for which some elements already exist in Sarajevo, is not integrated, and citizens still do not know whom to turn to if they notice an endangered dog, particularly puppies left on the street when they are very young and weak, or abuse and inhumanity to animals. Although some institutions now work more efficiently and transparently on this issue, and even though BiH now has a state register of animals that helps supervision of all dog owners, we have warned that the lack of a systematic approach threatens to cause the recurrence and re-escalation of the problem.
Unfortunately, Dogs Trust in BiH does not have unlimited resources and the capacity or mandate to take adequate and lawful care of dogs left unattended and mostly unneutered, especially in regions where it has already completed its engagement. This is the sole responsibility of local authorities and institutions, which have the obligation to implement the state laws in this domain in a transparent manner. As a dog welfare organisation, we aim to use our resources and capacities in the most efficient way, which is why we have organised our support through programmes specially designed to support effectively the local legislation and solutions in the specific context of this country's problems.
We hereby again call on all local authorities to take advantage of our achieved results, to engage urgently through mutual cooperation and ensure that the elements of a humane, statutory system are integrated and the laws of this country are implemented consistently and transparently, which they owe to the community and the dogs in it.
