Solving the Problem: Relocating Containers Would Reduce Stray Dog Numbers Around Schools and Hospitals

The operationalization of the Hygiene Service at KJKP "Rad" and continuous treatment and sterilization have led to a reduction in the number of stray dogs on our streets, but insufficient reception and veterinary treatment capacities are "bottlenecks" in further resolving this issue.

This is the joint assessment of the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Elmedin Konaković and ministers Muharem Šabić and Senad Hasanspahić, representatives of "Rad“, the "Dogs Trust" Foundation, and the Cantonal Inspectorate at a meeting discussing how to continue the initiated activities, reports the Patria News Agency.

-The occupancy of the current reception facility is once again opening up the problem of insufficient capacity for this purpose. In addition, we need further training for people and adequate equipment to continue moving towards solving the problem. Some legal solutions have not fully provided answers for further procedures, and together with the 'Dogs Trust' Foundation, we are seeking the most optimal possible solutions, stated Prime Minister Konaković, who organized this meeting to define further steps in the initiated procedures.

A shelter for dogs remains imperative if the issue of stray dogs is to be systematically resolved. The "Dogs Trust" Foundation is prepared to provide financial support for it, while local authorities are responsible for implementing other procedures related to the location and necessary permits. The removal of dogs around schools and health facilities has been set as the current primary task, and relocating waste containers a few hundred meters away from these facilities would certainly distance the dogs.

Stray dogs look for food around containers, and if they are moved further away from schools and hospitals, their gathering in these areas will decrease, and these dogs could be relocated to uninhabited areas, is one of the solutions proposed today. The "Dogs Trust" Foundation has expressed its readiness to assist in marking locations where waste disposal is prohibited and to help in treating and feeding the relocated dogs.

Minister of Economy of KS Muharem Šabić once again emphasized the necessity of establishing a database of dogs, as well as the role of the Government and the ministry in the entire process:

-It must not happen that it is unknown who is responsible and accountable for each part of the process at any given moment. We will work on that, we want to strengthen our Veterinary Station because it is particularly important in treating dogs. Minister of Communal Economy of KS Senad Hasanspahić once again pointed out the importance of agreements and coordination with local communities.

Today's meeting was also attended by representatives of the Sanela Jenkins Foundation, a Bosnian humanitarian who helps the state and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina through numerous projects, and who expressed their intention and desire to be part of the solution to the stray dog issue, as announced by the KS Government.