For several years now, the phenomenon of organizing dog fight in Kosovo is quite present.
The people who organize or participate in these illegal and criminal activities, most of the time post these criminal offenses on social networks, without any fear of criminal prosecution by the state.
There is much scientific research that shows that people who engage in animal abuse do not stop at this crime. After the animals (or at the same time), it is the turn of the family and/or society.
In every meeting we have had with law-enforcement institutions, we have emphasized the danger posed to people as well by such idividuals who abuse animals by forcing them to fight with other animals. Unfortunately, the case in the link below has proven what we have said many times.
The State of Kosovo must do more to fight the phenomenon of dog fights, since by preventing this phenomenon, many other cases of violence, even against people, can be prevented. The sooner these people are stopped, the safer both people and animals will be.
It is worth noting that the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Peja, based on our experiences as an organization during the submission of criminal reports for the organization of dog fights, has been quite active and cooperative and has proceeded with indictments in the Court for criminal offenses under Article 346 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kosovo, even though the punishments received by people who abuse animals are extremely light. So far, no person who has organized dog fights has been imprisoned, even though Article 346 of the Penal Code provides for this punishment.
We thank the Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Peja, as well as all other Prosecutor’s Offices that have taken seriously our reports about dog fights or other acts of animal abuse, and we hope that all Prosecutor’s Offices in Kosovo will treat this topic with the utmost seriousness and impose harsh sanctions to stop the phenomenon of animal abuse.
Moreover, our organization will stay close to and will support law enforcement institutions with all the capacities it has, so that animal abusers receive the punishment they deserve.