Local governments still do not sufficiently recognize the importance of establishing dog population control, which, if the national program is not implemented, could develop into a serious social problem.
In the period from 2021 to the end of 2024, out of 25 local governments, only nine adopted a local plan for dog population control, nine local governments, although legally obliged, did not build shelters for abandoned animals, and conditions in shelters that have already been established have not been improved. Although the problem of abandoned hunting dogs is evident, cooperation and engagement of hunting organizations in controlling their population has not been established.
This is stated, among other things, in the Final Report on the Implementation of the National Dog Population Control Program in Montenegro for the Period from 2021 to 2024, which was published a few days ago.
"Abandoned and unsupervised dogs represent a health, safety, social and environmental problem, and at the same time, the welfare of these animals is drastically impaired," the Report states, among other things.
The document also states that seven municipalities, most of which are in Nikšić, have paid out more than two million euros since 2019 to citizens who complained about stray dog bites.
The Dog Population Control Program with an Action Plan was adopted in mid-July 2021. The program, as stated in the document, regulates issues relevant to the control of the population of abandoned dogs and owner-operated dogs that are not under human supervision.
"Activities and work on animal health and welfare control also affect human health control. Dog populations can directly affect the occurrence of zoonoses, therefore it is extremely important to control unsupervised dogs, especially by implementing control measures that affect the source of dogs and population control measures that should be implemented in a humane and sustainable manner," the report states.
UNREALIZED THIRD OF MEASURES
The Action Plan of the Dog Population Control Program in Montenegro proposed 12 measures, or 32 activities, of which 14 activities were implemented, seven were partially implemented and 11 activities were not implemented.
Unrealized activities, as stated in the document, generally relate to the adoption of local plans, the need for training administrative capacities at the local level, and the postponement of deadlines for the adoption of the legislative framework regulating this area as recommended by the European Commission.
The report recalls that in 2019, a dog identification and registration system was established, that the Veterinary, Food Safety and Phytosanitary Administration procured rabies vaccines, microchips and dog passports, and that they were distributed to veterinary clinics, which performed chipping.
"A total of 33.263 dogs were registered in the pet registry (dogs), which is an integral part of the veterinary information system, as of December 31, 2024," the document states.
According to the national Program, each local government is required to adopt a local plan for dog population control. In the reporting period, it is reported that out of a total of 25 local governments in Montenegro, only nine fulfilled this obligation.
"Since more than 60 percent of local governments have not adopted a local plan for dog population control, the implementation of other measures and activities from the planned action plan has also been lacking," the document states.
It is also recalled that nine municipalities have not built shelters for abandoned animals, and that in the coming period they are obliged to either do so or, according to needs, conclude a contract for the care of animals in the nearest registered shelter.
Local governments have made decisions on the conditions and methods of keeping pets, as well as establishing shelters for abandoned pets.
33.263 dogs were registered in the pet registry as of December 31, 2024.
THEY FEED ON WASTE
One of the measures envisaged by the Program is the protection and prevention of access to food sources. The report states that local governments have not recognized this segment as important in order to implement proper mixed waste management procedures, thereby preventing a potential source of food for stray dogs.
"The Municipality of Podgorica has installed adequate underground containers at certain locations to ensure adequate disposal of municipal waste," it states.
While stray dogs mainly exist in public areas of local governments, hunting dogs pose a risk in rural areas (areas of national parks, resorts, tourist complexes...), the Report states, adding that they potentially come into contact with wild animal species (fox, wolf...) "creating a high risk of disease transmission, most notably Rabies".
"Due to irresponsible ownership... this population is overpopulated, moving uncontrollably and without supervision, reproducing without the application of health protection measures, as well as identification and registration, which can indirectly affect the well-being of animals and public health," the document states.
The report also states that not a single case of rabies was recorded in Montenegro during the reporting period.
By the end of last year, as stated in the Report, nine pet kennels intended for commercial reproduction with three or more breeding females were registered.
"The decision was issued after an immediate on-site inspection and verification of compliance with the prescribed conditions," it was stated.
Necessary measures as soon as possible
If measures are not taken to implement the national Program as soon as possible, the identified problems will grow into a serious social problem, because abandoned and unsupervised dogs represent a health, safety, social and environmental problem, and at the same time, the welfare of these animals is drastically impaired. The Ministry and the UBHVFP will continue, within their jurisdiction, cooperation with local governments, the non-governmental sector, the Veterinary Chamber and other interested parties in order to find the most acceptable solution for controlling the dog population, the document states.
Key recommendations for the coming period include, among other things, the adoption of a new Law on the Protection of Animal Welfare, as well as the adoption of a new Program for the period from 2026 to 2029.
Also, as recommended, it is necessary to develop and adopt local plans for dog population control and monitoring with an initial assessment of the existing number of dogs, their distribution and ecology, and to build and improve conditions in shelters for abandoned animals...
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