There are several recent blogs recently on this issue. Please see, in particular, “Illegal Catching and Killing of Dogs in Sarajevo” for information on how to help stop this abuse.

Dalida Kozlic, lawyer and activist in BiH writes:

As we have already written, a massacre of strays is being performed by te authorities of Canton Sarajevo. The Government of Canton Sarajevo during its session on the 30th June issued a decision ordering the hygienic service of Public utility company of KJKP Rad. Ltd. Sarajevo and Public company „Veterinary station“ Ltd. Sarajevo to start mass catching of stray dogs in Sarajevo. If you have read the recent blogs you will know there is not place to put caught dogs: legal shelters with adequate capacities do not exist at all, and yet the Government of Canton Sarajevo has signed a contract with a notorious – and illegal – hygienic service, P.E. “Lokum” of Novi Grad, Ltd. Novi Grad Sarajevo, and its veterinary station to catch and ‘remove’ stray dogs in Reljevo. Where to, we ask?

Lokum was established in the municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo on the 30th May of 2013. This so-called “Hygienic service” was not established and registered in accordance with article 29 of Bosnia’s Animal Protection and Welfare Act nor in accordance with the laws that establish the conditions hygienic services must fulfil.

Since then, thousands of stray dogs have been killed in Sarajevo.

This illegal hygienic service invoices for food, medications, veterinary services, placement, fuel, and catching of dogs for placement in shelters. Note that these invoices are for dogs who are dead, killed by the service.

Evidence for this was presented to the Bosnian police officers and prosecutors. The Prosecutor’s office of Canton Sarajevo had started investigating the allegations and evidence I presented in numerous criminal reports against Lokum. It is one of the most severe violations of the Criminal Code in Bosnian history.

When the investigation was re-launched due to critical mistakes of the previous prosecutor, Dalida received an official document signed by the main prosecutor of Canton Sarajevo Dalida Burzic, who stated the following: “…funds that had been allocated for dogs, were stolen without any doubt, and the question remains where dogs have disappeared to…” The number of this case is T 09 KTP 0072282 15.

The investigation was re-launched because Milutin Koprivica, who had initially led the investigation, broke the provisions of the Criminal Code of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and had obstructed the initial investigation.

However, although the new investigation is being conducted, Prosecutor Dalida Burzic who clearly understood funds were being stolen and dogs ‘disappearing’,  is ignoring the fact that the dog catchers of Lokom have begun working again and that her legal obligation is to require suspension of their activities until the investigation is completed. Also, there is evidence of criminal offences committed by the prime minister of Canton Sarajevo and his partners and criminal financing of the crimes of dog catchers of Rad, and these crimes are ongoing.

A few videos have appeared of the dog catchers at work, on 17^th and 18^th August. One video shows an extremely brutal catching of stray dogs in Ilidza, Sarajevo, and another video also shows a brutal catching of puppies in Sarajevo. On the first video, you can hear people begging dog catchers to leave dog alone.

It is more than obvious that the authorities of Canton Sarajevo are allowed to commit very serious criminal offences, while one of the biggest investigations of money laundering and killing of stray dogs is being conducted and yet the prosecutors do not fulfil their legal obligation to stop these on-going crimes.

I am aware that the videos below are graphic, but please watch them and help us to force our authorities to stop this massacre. Please, write to your embassies, only international pressure can help. Bosnian authorities must be literally forced by embassies and western politicians to end these crimes against innocent animals and to prosecute those who are responsible.

For information on how to help stop this abuse, with a draft letter, click here scroll to the bottom of the post.

RAD dog catchers in action, Sarajevo, 17th August:

Lokom dog catchers in action again, Sarajevo, 18th August

Lokom dog catchers in action again, Sarajevo, 18th August

Dalida Kozlic L.L.B, lawyer

For information on how to help stop this abuse, with a draft letter, scroll to the bottom of this post.

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

Illegal Catching and Killing of Dogs in Sarajevo
Terror for strays on the streets of Sarajevo
Stray Dogs in Sarajevo: a documentary
Dog Catchers of Sarajevo: Latest news
Disturbing Irregularities found in Dog Catching Service of Sarajevo
The Dog Catchers of Sarajevo are Back
Pope’s Visit to Sarajevo Means Death for Dogs
Sarajevo Demonstrations Against Illesgal 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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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.