It was just another Tuesday morning for me; except with a lot more cardio exercise.
I always see them around in my neighborhood. They usually just bark and follow each other, but this time they chose me as their target. There were four of them. I tried to walk past without looking directly at them, as I always do. One of them from the pack started growling, and I thought to myself “Chill, you’re not their target; other dogs are.” I was wrong.
As soon as the dog who barked at me started running toward me, my immediate reaction was to run. I don’t know how I managed to run and think so quickly at 6 AM, but I somehow got into a neighbor’s house. I was breathing loudly, thinking about how I would make it to the other bus. Once the pack was separated and seemed to calm down, I felt it was safer to leave my neighbor’s house. I quietly opened the door and began walking with my head down. As far as I could see, no dogs were around. I got on the bus and started questioning myself: “What made them chase me?” “What could I have done to keep them away?” “Will they attack me again tomorrow?” “How could I have acted differently?”
Apparently, running away had only made it worse. But what else could I have done in a moment of panic and fear?
Despite significant government and local government investments to manage the stray dog population, progress has been minimal. From January to October, approximately 130 people sought medical treatment at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (QKUK) due to dog bites, underscoring the urgency of this problem. Stray dogs are often seen in packs, scavenging for food and shelter while enduring harsh living conditions marked by a lack of sufficient nutrition, water, and veterinary care.
Ongoing Problems and Short-Term Solutions
Clear absence of effective animal control policies, insufficient funding for shelters, lack of public awareness about responsible pet ownership – you name it!
Like many other Western Balkan countries, Kosovo has been struggling with stray dog issues driven by two main factors: Limited resources regarding adoption and the abandonment of dogs when they are no longer useful or can’t be cared for. Without affordable options, uncontrolled breeding continues, contributing to the growing stray population.
In June 2023, the municipality of Prishtina implemented a regulation where they pay 50 euros per month to citizens who adopt stray dogs. One citizen could adopt up to five stray dogs. However, what sounded like an effective solution for the time being had its own issues. It was doubted that the citizens of Prishtina would start misusing the initiative by adopting dogs and using the money for themselves. Another issue which arose was the way people who adopted the dogs treated them. This raised concerns as Kosovo does not have any legal provisions that regulate the responsible keeping of dogs.
In September, the city of Prishtina opened a new center aimed at the care and housing of stray dogs, starting with its first 10 dogs from the city center. The shelter can accommodate up to 350 dogs. The mayor has set an ambitious goal to decrease the stray dog population by 1,500 by the end of March. However, the founder of the Foundation of Animal Rights, Elza Ramadani, raised some concerns after visiting the shelter. She stated, “Some things are still missing. We hope the center will focus more on castration and sterilization to effectively manage the stray dog population, as it’s unrealistic for any facility to house 2,000-3,000 dogs.”
Activists from the Kosova Animal Foundation are pushing for a more effective solution: the implementation of the CNVR (Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release) method. The CNVR method is a humane approach aimed at controlling the stray dog population by managing reproduction. Currently, there is no active CNVR program in Kosovo, and without it, the number of strays is expected to keep rising.
How do EU countries deal with the welfare of strays?
Many countries in the European Union have taken legislative action to tackle the issue of stray animals, addressing the problem of the hundreds of thousands of animals that are abandoned each year. For example, in Switzerland, abandoning dogs or any other animals is a serious offense, carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison. Additionally, anyone wishing to own a dog in the country must ensure that their pet is registered with the cantonal authorities. The Netherlands, being the first country with no stray dogs, implemented the CNVR program, as they believed to be the most effective solution for controlling stray dog populations. Additionally, they increased taxes on store-bought dogs, encouraging people to adopt homeless dogs from shelters instead.
Kosovo, while still on its path of development, has the opportunity to take practical steps to tackle the stray dog situation. By focusing on affordable initiatives, encouraging responsible pet ownership, and fostering community engagement, Kosovo could make significant progress in addressing its stray dog population in a humane and sustainable manner.
What can Kosovo’s citizens do?
Until there is a comprehensive approach that benefits both people and dogs in Kosovo, finding a viable solution seems distant. However, citizens themselves can start by educating themselves on the issue of stray dogs. This can involve learning more about the topic, sharing your knowledge with your family members, friends, and co-workers, supporting local NGOs, and adopting and caring for stray dogs when possible.
For now, let’s be considerate and hope for the best! It is possible to improve the quality of life for both humans and dogs, but it will require empathy, transparency, and ongoing effort.
Feautered photo: Armend Nemani/AFP
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