Citizens Fear wanderers

The Food and Veterinary Agency (AUV) last year received a budget worth 1.3 million from the Government for vaccinating and medical treatment of stray dogs.

In spite of this, citizens say that the number of stray dogs on the street continues to be high and that they feel particularly endangered during wintertime.

Gezim Berisha has said that wandering dogs continue to be a problem for citizens, so it requires reaching a permanent solution, given the danger they bring to young children, where there have been cases of attacks and physical injuries in the past.

We all feel threatened by them. A popular word says that <x1 being does not trust”, so despite the inoculation it is possible that they are sometimes furious, so it is better to find a place to house dogs”, he told Kosovas.

Another citizen, Hasan Ramadani, says the shelter of stray dogs in a certain location would be a permanent solution. He relates how he had on two occasions saved a woman who was being attacked by wandering dogs.

Two children were killed by stray dogs. Dogs must be vaccinated to avoid aggressiveness, especially the cause of small children. They're more aggressive during winter, they don't have what to eat, they beg around and don't relax. It would be nice if they could come together somewhere... Twice I saved a woman this morning from getting bit by dogs. They are particularly dangerous for children”, he said.

While Safet Gashi relates one occasion when he had seen how wandering dogs behave by irresponsible persons to the Trimese Hill.

There's more to the hospital neighborhood. They're following the school kids... I got 30 dogs in court, I got my jacket off and I scared them. One dropped 20 dogs out of the truck, collected the dogs from the floor and landed them in Vranjevc”, he said.

The wandering dogs are not the problem the capitals are facing. Maliqi wins from Fushe Kosova says a similar situation reigns in this municipality, and the greatest danger is for young children.

The situation is more dangerous for children, elders, in all cities is the same problem... My sister was followed. It's too much fear for a man. There may also be bodily injuries. Dogs should be sent to a special” location, he said.

Lumniye Softoll also asks that something be taken up for wandering dogs, which say they are everywhere and that they must be kept from getting near.

Whatever it is, we're afraid of going out, especially with kids, at whatever time it comes out, there's plenty. But we need to be careful, not to get any closer... Something has to be done to get stray dogs off the streets and parks. Usually now good weather, we're afraid”, Softoll said.

According to regional police data for Pristina, the number of attacks by stray dogs in 2020 has been smaller, 10 cases, respectively, until 20 reports of stray dogs were reported in 2018. Last year there were three cases of attack by dogs with owners.

Vlora Konushefci, citizen of Pristina, had called for the Pristina municipality to be indicted after wandering dogs attacked her 12-year-old son.

Last year, even Pristina chairman Shpend Ahmeti had called for resolving the problem of wandering dogs. He has said the president, prime minister and MPs should give responsibility to municipalities over resolving the problem of wandering dogs, or declaring an emergency situation to address the alarming situation in every municipality in Kosovo.

The Food and Veterinary Agency began the first vaccination and treatment of stray dogs in 2018. According to the Foundation for Animal Rights, some 14,000 wanderers were vaccinated and treated by the company “Mala Farm” in 2018.

In 2020 veterinarians were contracted in all cities, a project worth 1.3m euros from AUV, which envisions vaccination and medical treatment needed by wandering dogs. All dogs to be treated are marked with identification numbers.

The law requires stray dogs to be treated and back on the road. Only a certified vet can decide if he's sick. Despite hundreds of thousands of euros spent even in the municipality this issue cannot be resolved by separate municipalities, so this requires comprehensive strategies and emergency steps”, Ahmeti wrote on Facebook.