Protest against mismanagement of money for stray dogs: Citizens out of pocket, municipality for pleasure

With the motto “this isn't the duty, but the trading citizen out of pocket, municipality for fun”, protesters marched peacefully from square “Skenderbeu” to the old Pristina municipality object, says Online Economy, broadcast Periscopi.

In the protest, full respect of dog housing laws and standards was required, the ban on projects that, according to them, divert public funds without providing sustainable solutions, as well as real involvement of civil society and community in the drafting and implementation of policies for the treatment of homeless animals.

Foundation Director Elza Ramadani, in a public statement before the Pristina municipality, said through this protest that public money is not a game and stray dogs are not numbers, but are beings that need care and protection.

She stressed that the treatment of wandering dogs cannot be done unilaterally, outside the laws and without the involvement of citizens.

And we all agree that stray dogs should not remain on the street, as in addition to the risk of citizens, even dogs themselves are victims of abuse and neglect. To reach a real solution, however, requires well - thought - out, stable measures and that address the root of the problem, not just the consequences. The Pristina municipality is acting unilaterally, sheltering dogs outside legal standards, without transparency and without civic involvement. This is not a solution. It's a deepening problem. The community is dealing with symptoms, not the source of the problem. We will not be silent in the face of mismanagement and violation of the law!”, she said.

Ramadani also unveiled the concrete demands of protesters:
1. Mass sterilization/castration, to lower the number of dogs on the street;
2. Consciousness and support for the families that bear dogs, lest they be forsaken and sterilized;
3. Awareness of citizens, to reduce fears and to engage in solving the problem;
4. places that respect the law and the welfare of animals;
5. Policy based on data, not improvise;
6. The involvement of citizens and civil society in any decision that affects helpless animals.

We don't want fake projects, we want real solutions! Our voice today is the voice of every abandoned dog, of every citizen seeking justice and security, and of a society that rejects indifference”, Ramadani said.