By Dalida Kozlic, lawyer and activist in BiH

While a team of the illegal dog catching service was catching dogs in the centre of Sarajevo in preparation for Pope Francis’s arrival (see: Pope’s Visit to Sarajevo Means Death for Dogs) an incident occurred at the veterinary station of Novi Grad Reljevo. A handful of activists were trying to save stray dogs who had been caught by the dog catchers. While they were trying to find out what had happened with the dogs, the activists were attacked by the dog catchers. Both sides were injured, the activists acting in self-defence. The dog catchers are attempting to turn this incident into a judicial and media spectacle, using a falsely presented incident to turn focus away from their criminal activities.

There is enough evidence to prove the activists are innocent and that they were injured by the dog catchers, but they are being harassed by the police every day. In addition, political pressure is being placed on the Prosecutor’s office to send an official request to the court to make an order for the activists to be taken into custody.

Thanks to Damir Alagic, one of the best Bosnian defence attorneys, activists have not been taken into custody, but the police has continued to harass activists and it is certain there will be a politically motivated court procedure against them. Damir Alagic has already filled criminal reports against the dog catchers, in addition to filing complaints regarding forged media reports and harassment of activists by both police and the media.

This case has serious implications for animal welfare in Bosnia. We need to support the activists, a case against them is a case against ALL activists and animal welfare advocates in the country and indeed, against the hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats who need their help.

Please read related articles/blogs on this site for more information:

Three Dogs Saved – But Does the Pope Care?
Pope’s Visit to Sarajevo Means Death for Dogs
Sarajevo Demonstrations Against Illegal Dog Catchers
Former Military Base in Sarajevo involved in dog killing?
“DOG-CATCHERS” OF SARAJEVO CAUGHT IN ACTION!
AUTHORISED SLAUGHTER OF DOGS IN SARAJEVO
2014: What is happening to the strays of Bosnia Herzegovina?
Animal Advocates Assaulted in Sarajevo
Bosnia: Let’s Respect Animals and their Right to Life
Veterinary Office of Bosnia: is it possible to solve the problem of stray dogs?
The “Aggressive” Dogs of Sarajevo
The Campaign Begins With a Slaughter: You will kill the dogs, but what will you do with the beasts?
Stray Dogs of Sarajevo to be Killed in Election Ploy
Stop the Killing of Strays in Sarajevo
Bosnia: Sarajevo set to become the next Bucharest
BOSNIA: kill and slaughter until the dog is no more…
Bosnia Killing Dogs – No Different to Romania!
ANTI KILL-LAW FIGHT – NOW WHAT?

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed to help individual rescues, for spay-neuter projects, for education also to continue advocacy work in Bosnia, uncovering the truth about what is happening there. Donations are managed by AWABosnia, an independent group of animal advocates. On their website, Animal Welfare Advocates for Bosnia, you can set up a monthly donation via PayPal, or if you want to make a one-off donation, please go to your PayPal account (or set one up, it’s very easy) and send the money to: donations@awabosnia.org. Click on the image below to be taken to PayPal’s home page.

Or if you want to use the customised PayPal form, click the link below. However, a transaction fee and a percentage (2- 5.4%) will be deducted by PayPal for any contribution made.

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This site is dedicated to Vučko. Read his story and don’t let him have suffered and died in vain. Please help the stray dogs and cats in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The situation there is utterly dire, Vučko is but one amongst many horrifically abused animals. Even just one dollar or one euro will help make a difference.