REACTION AGAINST THE KILLING OF STRAY DOGS BY THE MUNICIPALITY OF TIRANA
To: The Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Erion Veliaj
In attention of: The Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in Kosovo, Mr. Qemal Minxhozi
From: Animal Rights Foundation in Kosovo, with registration number: 5200423-3
With this open letter, addressed to the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Erion Veliaj and in attention of the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in Kosovo, Mr. Qemal Minxhozi, we express our indignation about the killing of stray dogs, through inhumane and unsustainable actions for the stray dog population management in the Municipality of Tirana.
First of all, it is very worrying that in 2021, the Municipality of Tirana still decides to kill stray dogs and does not choose ethical and sustainable methods of managing stray dogs in the country. Killing and mistreating animals in that way constitutes a violation of Law no. 10 465 – ‘On the Veterinary Service’ in the Republic of Albania.
Although the Municipality insists that it is implementing the CNVR method (catch, neuter, vaccinate, release) for the treatment of stray dogs, the shocking facts of many activists for the protection of stray animals in Albania and the lack of institutional transparency in the active stray dog treatment projects by the Municipality, only show the opposite. It is also worrying that despite Article 12 of Section 2 of Law no. 10 465, the Albanian state still does not concentrate on the main source of the growth or over-population of stray dogs in Albania. If this concern would be addressed from the source of the problem, the situation would be much different and much easier to be managed by the relevant institutions for ensuring the welfare of animals and people in Albania.
Stray dogs do not end up on the streets because of their own free will, but from the numerous abandonments of companion animals that happens in Albania, almost every day (facts from the daily work of non-governmental organizations and activists for the protection of stray animals in Albania). The same situation, with a large number of stray dogs, is in Kosovo too. But, with the insistence and cooperative work of our organization with the responsible institutions, in March 2021, the Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Kosovo, has signed a regulation for the registration of dogs with keepers/owners. The latter regulated also the punishment of persons who abandon their dogs on the street. The approval of this legal act by the responsible institutions is one of the most appropriate actions towards an ethical and sustainable solution regarding the increase (abandonment) and reproduction (reproduction on the street) of stray dogs in Kosovo, because this legal provision directly regulates the source of the problem.
Killing dogs, in addition to being extremely inhumane and illegal, is by no means a lasting solution, and in fact, not only it does not help solve the problem, but it makes it even worse.
The situation worsens because the source of the increase in dogs on the streets never stops and many dogs living on the outskirts of cities, approach the residential areas for food, exactly in the same places where the dogs that the Municipality of Tirana has killed have been fed for many years now. If a state constantly uses the method of killing dogs, ostensibly to reduce their numbers on the streets, it will only show the world how narrow-minded and heartless it is, and nothing more. The Municipality of Tirana sets an example for all other Municipalities in Albania, so it must be very careful in the decisions it makes regarding the treatment of stray animals.
That the mass murder of dogs is not the solution, a country like Romania can be taken as an example, which for years has tried to solve the problem of stray dogs through murder, and in fact cases of attacks and dog bites on people have continued to grow. Since this did not work, the Romanian state has stopped cruel methods of killing dogs, and through humane methods such as preventing the abandonment of companion animals and the CNVR (capture, neuter, vaccination and release) project, has managed to significantly reduce the number stray dogs, and reduce also the number of dog attacks on people.
That humane methods such as the CNVR and the education of the society for responsible keeping of animals succeed when working seriously, a country like the Netherlands can be taken as an example, which has completely eliminated the problem of stray dogs by applying humane and sustainable measures and in no way by killing street dogs. The World Organization for Animal Health also calls for the control of the stray dog population through humane, effective and sustainable methods and strongly recommends that killing (via euthanasia) should not be the first option and that animal euthanasia should only be allowed in cases when it is really ascertained by animal behavior experts (in case of aggression) or even by ethical and professional veterinarians (in case of excessive suffering from serious health condition of the animal).
Sheltering dogs is a potential solution, but it succeeds only if the number of stray animals is significantly reduced through humane methods. Without regulating the proper control of dogs with keepers/owners (registration of companion animals – dogs) and breeders of dogs (who do not register their animals and do not report to the state for keeping, donating or buying and selling of animals), any other method to reduce stray dogs, will not sustainably work.
We are aware that many citizens do not want to see any dog on the street on the pretext that they are being attacked or feel frightened by them, and eagerly want immediate solutions. However, it is the duty of every state to regulate the relations between people and also between people and animals, using ethical methods for the solution of potential problems in a society. The aggressiveness of stray dogs towards humans comes only from the aggressive behaviors of humans towards dogs. Dogs, by nature (based on cynological sciences) are gentle with humans and domesticated to be submissive to humans. Therefore, the people must be educated and emancipated, to respect stray animals, while the state works towards a humane and sustainable reduction of the number of stray dogs, or even in the near future, for the humane sheltering of stray dogs that remain on the street.
It is also necessary for the responsible institutions to organize awareness raising campaigns, to promote the responsible keeping of dogs, as well as to make dog owners aware not only not to abandon their animals, but also to take care of the welfare of their animals, by fulfilling all their physiological and psychological needs.
Our organization together with partner organizations in Albania, is at the disposal of the Municipality to advise and propose a National Strategic Plan with humane and effective measures for sustainable solutions to the problem of stray dogs, through the exchange of our experiences in this field.
Our organization shares the proposals of the Animal Welfare Group in Albania and also gives the following conclusions for the local and central level:
- Draft and approve a regulation for the registration of companion animals (dogs with keepers/owners) in order to punish the abandonment of family dogs and to oblige the registration of all dogs with owners and their owners (based on Article 12 of the Law on Veterinary Service).
- Draft and approve a regulation for companion animal breeding centers and prohibit the sale of unidentified and unregistered animals.
- Prohibit the sale of animals in open markets and unlicensed Pet-Shops
- Stricter control of land and water borders regarding the transport or sale of companion animals in or from Albania
- Implement ongoing state or municipal projects through the CNVR method (catch, neuter, vaccinate, release)
- Organize information campaigns for citizens about the responsible keeping of companion animals (to prevent multiple abandonments of animals and to prevent potential zoonotic diseases)
- Fund state castration / sterilization programs for dogs with keepers/owners, for all animal keepers who cannot afford the cost of this treatment.
- Establish several Stray Animal Treatment Centers (ambulatory services) in Tirana
- Collaborate with stray animal protection activists in order to have full transparency in the work of veterinarians contracted by the Municipality.
- Form inter-institutional groups (between Municipalities) to devise, review and plan strategies or measures for the benefit of animals and people in Albania.
Hoping that the Municipality of Tirana will heed the calls of animal protection activists, we urge it to immediately stop the cruel practices of killing street dogs and to apply humane, effective and sustainable methods, with professionalism and full accountability of work.
On behalf of animals,
Animal Rights Foundation in the Republic of Kosovo