Residents of several villages and settlements in the Kolašin municipality are concerned that they will be disturbed by the barking of dogs from a future shelter, which is planned to be built on municipal plots at the Debeli Lug location, near the confluence of the Plašnica and Tar rivers. They expressed their concerns and opposition to the construction of such a facility on the planned plots at a forum organized by the Municipality today, “with the aim of reaching an agreement and finding a long-term solution for the care of abandoned animals.”
The residents of Radigojno, Bakovići and Drijenko are afraid that the quality of their lives will be further deteriorated by the construction of such a facility, and they also spoke about the problems they have due to the landfill, industrial zone, quarry... The construction of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is also planned at the Debeli Lug location, so part of today's forum was also dedicated to the concerns surrounding this part of the municipal infrastructure. Those living in the surrounding settlements were also interested in how such facilities could reduce the value of their property in the future and reduce the chances of building tourist facilities.
The participants of the discussion agreed that the shelter is necessary, but the issue of location remained open, so it was agreed that in the coming period, experts in the field, in the presence of locals, would conduct additional checks on the impact of noise from the shelter. At the same time, representatives of the Municipality showed their willingness to reach an agreement with citizens and presented arguments that speak in favor of the fact that the shelter will be built and maintained in accordance with the highest standards, with minimal impact on the environment. The details of the project, as well as the importance of caring for abandoned animals, were discussed by the President and Manager of the Municipality Petko Bakić and Radovan Puletić, MA Ivan Ivanović, independent advisor at the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, and Mile Glavičanin from the Secretariat for Environmental Protection.
Ivanovic reminded us of the numerous problems of housing abandoned dogs. According to him, the Administration's suggestion is that the shelter for abandoned animals be in a location that would allow both tourists and potential adopters to visit the facility.
According to the law, Ivanovic said, there must be no populated area within a 300-meter radius of the asylum.
"It is important to say that the potential shelter will not endanger the locals. Only inadequately built infrastructure results in the transposition of sound, or barking," said Ivanović.
He explained that almost every local administration violates regulations regarding the placement of abandoned animals, and the Administration's flexibility so far, he said, was the result of the hope that this situation would change.
"However, now, through the European Commission, pressure should be exerted on the leaders of local governments to resolve all this urgently. The solutions are simple, if you have the infrastructure. Building an asylum is a prerequisite for solutions, so a location should be found as soon as possible, because the procedures and implementation of the project take a long time, so the construction season in Kolašin should be used," said Ivanovic.
"Our goal is to provide a humane and long-term solution for the care of abandoned animals through this project, as well as to improve the quality of life of all our fellow citizens. This conceptual project is the result of a joint effort, carefully prepared with respect for all standards and needs of the local community, and with respect for legal regulations and good practices. Today's forum is an opportunity to look together at the proposed solutions, to hear expert opinions and suggestions, as well as to take into account the questions and views of all of you who live here and to whom the future of our city is important," said Puletić.
According to Glavičanin, building the asylum will cost 100.000 euros, and each subsequent year between 50.000 and 100.000 euros for food, care for them, employees, contracts with the Veterinary Clinic... He said that members of the competent Commission had previously unanimously decided that the asylum would be built at the Debeli Lug location.
"The distance from the location to the houses is from 500 meters to one kilometer. The project requires the construction of sound-absorbing panels on a two-meter embankment, which guarantee that the sound at 100 meters from the shelter will be almost inaudible. These panels are very expensive and guarantee good sound insulation. Our assumption is that the barking of dogs will not be heard as far as the houses," said Glavičanin.
According to the conceptual design, which was approved, the Kolašin shelter should be a complex of 5.000 square meters, while the maximum gross construction area of the facilities will not exceed the legal limit of 300 square meters. The facility designed in this way will be able to accommodate 100 dogs.
The planned complex includes an administrative building, semi-open dog kennels, a quarantine area, as well as a special section for housing females with puppies. Special attention has been paid to sanitary infrastructure and environmental protection - a mobile sanitary block, a septic tank, as well as a 400-square-meter area for burying dead animals are planned.
In addition, an area of 1.500 square meters has been reserved for a possible future expansion of the shelter. The entire area will be fenced off, with measures to prevent uncontrolled access and eliminate the impact of the facility on the environment.
As the mayor told the residents, a solution for the asylum must and will be found. However, he said that if, even after the experts speak out about the impact of noise from the asylum, the residents remain opposed to allowing construction, no construction will be carried out on that location.
They also heard at the forums that the Municipality has very few plots of land in its ownership on which a shelter could be built, while meeting all the prerequisites prescribed by law for such facilities.
Stray dogs endanger wildlife and visitors in Biogradska gora National Park
At a public hearing today, representatives of the Biogradska Gora National Park (NP) warned of the growing problem of abandoned dogs roaming freely in the protected area. They said that packs of dogs pose a serious threat not only to wildlife, but also to the safety of the park's numerous visitors.
Mile Rnković, pointed out that the competent institutions have been informed about this problem several times, and that the NP has launched numerous initiatives for its systemic solution. Representatives of the Biogradska gora NP appeal to local governments, competent services and citizens to contribute to solving this problem, in order to preserve the natural balance and ensure the safety of all who reside in this unique natural environment.
"With the closure of certain landfills, stray dogs are becoming more numerous in Biogradska gora. Dogs chase away game and pose a great danger to cubs. In addition, they are a great danger to visitors, but also to supervisors. A dog injured a girl in the NP last year. Building a shelter is necessary. We have submitted many initiatives due to this truly major problem," said Rnković.
Abandoned dogs repeatedly attacked people and livestock in the Kolasin municipality last spring. At today's forum, it was explained that, in addition to negligent ownership, a major problem is that dogs are brought from other municipalities and left near the city.
The owner of a private dog shelter, Danijela Vuksanović, suggested a solution where the Municipality would take care of the facility. However, as Glavićanin said, a petition from residents of that part of the municipality, who claim to be harassed by dogs from the shelter, arrived at the Municipality's address several years ago.
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