Giving anesthetics without medical reasons, and without full veterinary assistance, significantly endangers the welfare of the animal and is considered by our organization as ‘mistreatment’, according to Article 346, paragraph 2.1, of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo: “mistreatment – means action or inaction by which the animal is caused severe suffering, pain or distress, which in the degree and circumstances in which they occur are excessive and unnecessary.”

A few days ago (May 10, 2021), our organization received information that a community/stray dog (in the picture) that usually roams at the National Library and Zahir Pajaziti Square in Pristina, was taken from the film production “Filmtory” which is shooting a film called “Crocodile Skin”, directed by Ilirjan Himaj and producer Teuta Krasniqi (taken from their public announcement) and has been put to sleep under for more than an hour, through anesthetics, by unauthorized persons and even worse, by individuals who are not professional and licenced veterinarians. The reason why the dog was given an anesthetic was because they were shooting a movie part where the dog was supposed to look dead.

Our organization has been in constant contact with the witness activists and the production team to find out what really happened. Activists say that around 22:00 on May 10, 2021, the dog was found without consciousness, then around 23:30, the dog was lying in the Library, half awake, vomiting from anesthesia – without any person (and nor veterinarian) around him to help.

According to the film crew, the team claimed to have been constantly close to the dog, along with a person the team claimed to be veterinarian, M.O. The name of the person is not on the list of veterinary entities on the official website of KFVA and we are still waiting for information from the KFVA and the Veterinary Chamber on the name of the alleged veterinarian.

We have sought evidence proving that veterinarian M.O was present at all times that night (before and after anesthesia), but we have not received such evidence from the film production in question.

Given the data so far, our organization considers that the application of anesthetics to stray dogs, without special permission from the KFVA and without full veterinary care (a few hours before and after anesthesia – only for medical reasons) is considered ‘mistreatment’ from negligence and carelessness because the the dog, unable to decide for himself, has suffered anxiety and risk of suffocation from the potential vomiting that anesthesia and the process of waking from anesthesia could cause.

According to veterinary medical studies, before the application of anesthetics, the animals should be tested or medical checked to confirm that the animal is not at risk due to any allergies, chronic diseases, age, weight and most importantly, due to of nutrition before anesthesia. Dogs should be left in fasting, 6-8 hours before the application of anesthesia. Then, after waking up from anesthesia, dogs (and companion animals) need maximum care for at least four (4) hours after waking up from anesthetics. Has all this care been taken by the film production staff? Was the vet there to check the condition of the dog? And most importantly, is there a veterinary medical report on the treatment given to the dog?

As the team has not provided more facts about the alleged care for the dog, and as per their statement we can conclude that the dog was fed all day (including a few moments before anesthetia – seriously endangering dog’s health), we will contact the competent prosecution to investigate this case in more detail.

It is a fact that the dog in question was seen in the city, with no visible consequences after anesthesia, but this fact does not justify the distress caused to the animal through the application of anesthetics without following the necessary medical procedures.

Finally, this kind of treatment of a stray dog by people who declare themselves to be animal lovers, promotes a dangerous precedent of animal cruelty for personal or even professional purposes.

It is not the first time that for “artistic” reasons, the poor animals of this country are exploited and misused, so we invite the artists of our country to be very careful before taking steps where animals are planned to be included.

Extra link for anesthesia risks: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/what-to-know-about-anesthesia/