foto: Richard Murgatroyd
According to numerous sources, including the Animal Protection Association "Animal Friends", and documented photo and video materials that we do not share here due to disturbing content, once again there are cases of brutality and extreme inhumanity towards innocent dogs forced to live abandoned on the streets in several different locations in BiH.
Mass killing of stray dogs by hunters in Tuzla and Osmaci, with the support and cheering of a number of citizens; brutal poisoning of dogs in Konjic, which then die in pain, in plain sight of citizens and children; non-transparent "removal" of healthy and socialized dogs in Lukavac, of which every trace is lost and for whose fate there is no public information prescribed by law...
This series of recent brutalities against dogs in BiH in the period from February to April 2024 is not only extremely disturbing for all empathetic and humane citizens, but also an indicator that their government representatives waste budget funds, intended for the establishment of a legal, efficient system for managing the dog population, which is certainly the only solution for bringing the problem of stray dogs under control permanently, and sweep the issue "under the carpet", even ordering or at the very least tolerating extremely brutal torture by poisoning and killing with hunting rifles in populated areas where our children play.
Animal cruelty does not support the ethical profile of communities either, since inhumanity towards animals and irresponsibility towards nature certainly do not lead to a better regulated, happier and safer society towards which we all strive.
Since 2012, Dogs Trust Foundation has been investing enormous efforts, resources and capacities in BiH to help the competent services and institutions to adjust the management of the dog population to the European standards and thus ensure that dogs do not ultimately have to live without much needed human care.
From funding mass sterilization of stray dogs and free sterilization of owned dogs, as well as raising the number of veterinary clinics for small practice, to educating dog owners, children and the general public and quality rehoming programmes, over the years, Dogs Trust has made a significant contribution to setting the standards and efficiency of legal resolution of issues that have arisen solely due to people's irresponsibility.
Dogs on the streets are not a problem in themselves, but its consequence, and any problem can only be solved if you first deal with its root. They are an integral part of our society and, as a species that has earned its title of man's best friend, they deserve people's good and responsible care, and those who are on the street certainly did not choose it themselves and suffer an unsafe and often cruel life.
Empathy for nature and animals is key to a healthy, happy and prosperous society that wants a better future for its children, and that does not at any cost condone inhumanity and irresponsibility towards any living being.
Dogs Trust highlights the fact that the non-transparent removal of dogs, insufficient supervision of dog owners, the use of mass, inhumane shelters, and the resort to brutal and inhumane methods (such as shooting, poisoning, torture and killing) is not only unacceptable, but also inefficient because it only deepens the problem, spending budget funds on masking the problem.
The problem is not solved ad hoc only when it begins to escalate, but by consistent implementation of legal measures, education of the entire society, as well as penalties against irresponsible perpetrators of illegal and especially inhumane acts.
Therefore, Dogs Trust Foundation again calls on the competent authorities, as well as citizens, not to tolerate brutality and inhumanity towards these precious animals, and to engage in solving the problem that arose from not implementing the law and due to irresponsible treatment of dogs, in a humane, systemic way that is the only effective one and the only one that leads to a lasting and sustainable solution.
For detailed information on an efficient, humane and legally prescribed way of solving problems permanently, download the Manual for Local Authorities, which is based on the context of the problem in BiH specifically and provides all the necessary guidelines for its solving for the benefit of the whole society and the animals in it, at https://dogstrust.ba/ under Public Resources.
