The Importance of Fighting Against Cruelty to Animals

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Sandra Jensen

Dalida Kozlic L.L.B, lawyer and activist writes:

“Animal cruelty is more than just a legal issue; it is a community issue. If you improve animal welfare in a community, you improve public safety for everyone.”
~ Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings–Blake

Years of an experience in the field of the legal protection of animals have taught me to recognise evil in its worst forms. The truth is that every rescuer of animals faces the most disturbing and the saddest cases in the world.

Animal welfare advocates face evil in its worst form; they face the most evil people and witness what evil people can do to innocent and helpless creatures.

Cruelty to animals is now seen as a part of the landscape of family violence and a risk to human health, safety and welfare with strong links to child maltreatment, domestic violence and elder abuse.

Animal welfare advocates believe that people are at risk when animals are abused and that animals are at risk when people are abused.

Those scientific and research facts and evidences can be linked with the increasing cases of animal abuse in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A growing and compelling body of research is confirming these links and clarifying animal abuse as a predictor and indicator crime that often signals serious interpersonal aggression and familiar dysfunction. People who abuse animals have been found to be significantly more likely to commit violent crimes, domestic violence and other antisocial behaviour.

We often write about illegal killings of stray animals due to the dog catching services and in the public shelters. Unfortunately, not only these authorities are involved in the widescale slaughter of Bosnian stray animals (illegally), but “ordinary people” are often those who commit the most horrendous crimes against animals (stray, wild, endangered, pets, etc.).

Bosnian post – war society is generally mentally ill. There is a mass diagnosis of PTSD and people must accept the fact that most of them haven’t dealt with personal traumas in the right way. The problem is Bosnian people generally think that they know everything. Unfortunately, there is no less educated and less self-aware population in Europe who thinks that they can solve everything in this world.

The fact is that the same people have been leading this country for almost 30 years. Not only are they leading it, they are stealing everything they can. And they get an opportunity to steal and torture their own people every four years when elections are held. Bosnian people know how corrupt and criminalised their politicians are, but still they vote for them.

Also, the fact is that we went through unimaginable suffering and torture during the four year war and aggression. Almost 200.000 people were killed and one million had to leave our country. War traumas are amongst the worst traumas a person can experience. Still we were better humans during the war. We had more empathy for other people as well as for animals. Bosnian people mostly refused to kill their pets and eat them during the war (yes, there was no food here). Most of people shared whatever they had with their animals.

What happened after the war?

If you ask me, we have turned into a psychopathic society. The level of frustration by living in this complicated and as some say cursed country is increasing all the time, but Bosnian people are passive. They are always passive towards those who harass them so they have turned their aggression onto animals.

Animals are the biggest post war victims in Bosnia. They are legally protected – when we look at the legislation. But practically speaking, they are exposed to psychopaths who wander in the streets.

Cruelty to animals has become a serious legal and community issue in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

People are afraid of dogs; dogs are the subject of discussion and debate. Meanwhile we are one of the poorest and the most miserable countries in the whole of Europe, so the deprived people take their frustration out on those who cannot protect themselves. Dogs are a channel for the anger people should feel towards those who are responsible for the way we live today. Dogs have become public enemy number one and the lightning rod for a society which suffers from all kinds of problems. If this society thinks about how to kill as many dogs as possible rather than how to make a living, surely we have a problem? We are a psychopathic society that suffers from mass aggression and a society that has misdirected its aggression.

Not only does public debate presents animals as demons (mostly dogs), people are treating animals like demons and there is an increasing number of cases of animal abuse done by individuals – not only by hunters or authorities.

Animal abuse can be a symptom of a personality disorder, but also the disorder of society as a whole. The tendency to abuse, torture and kill animals is one of the most important symptoms of the psychopath – sociopath. Psychopaths or sociopaths are people without a conscience who enjoy abusing of animals and humans. Those people usually behave and look like normal people.

Zoo sadism is a pleasure (psychological, physical or sexual) that one gets abusing animals.
It is a manipulation and a desire to inflict physical and psychological pain to a being that cannot defend itself against any kind of attack. The abuser of animals has no conscience; he does not sympathize with other living beings. Most serial killers were animal abusers. People who abuse animals are aware it is prohibited by law and punishable and that it is a morally appalling act, but the desire to manipulate and to express their own complex onto a helpless creature is so strong they have to repeat their sadistic acts.

Animal abusers are rarely mentally ill people, but animal abuse is a symptom of severe mental disorder. The mentally ill are rarely aware of the consequences of their actions, while mentally disturbed people are aware of their actions and their consequences. Animal abusers are psychopaths who intentionally know what they do and who are fully aware of their actions and the consequences, but do not empathize with other living beings. The most important thing for them is to be satisfied by expressing power and control over the helpless creature and thus cure their frustrations and / or complexes.

When we link all these facts with population of hundreds of thousands traumatised by passive people, we can get a worrying perception about possible animal abusers who turn their aggression and desires towards animals.

The fact is that we are surrounded by psychopaths and animal abusers who are organised in groups (hunters or dog catchers) or they work alone and torture animals on their own without any payment or by participating in hunting or a publicly funded dog catching organisation.

Bosnian society does not understand that animals are unable to fight for themselves and there is a complete lack of empathy for those who suffer. This means that society as a whole has a pathological feature. Individuals and society do not want to understand that animal abusers are people with pathological

personality features, who tend to become abusers and killers of people (if not already). Prosecution and punishing of animal abusers are the basic functions of protecting animals. Special prevention sends a message to abusers that if they re-offend their offence against animals, they are to be arrested and punished. The general prevention message is sent to the society. If the state and the judiciary do not tolerate animal abuse, the problem is recognized as a deep social anomaly and that each abuser is to be punished. But in Bosnia this does not happen.

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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. Go here to find out how to help them. Money is needed for food, medicine and foster housing. Even just one dollar or one euro will help.

World Stray Animals Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Posted on April 23, 2017 by Sandra Jensen

Dalida Kozlic L.L.B writes:

Something very personal….

It is estimated that there are about 600 million stray animals in the world. Every year the 4th of April is marked as “World Stray Animals Day”.

Stray animals are the ones that live on the streets without having an owner, or that have lived their lives without being domesticated. Stray animals usually feed on any rubbish that is left outside, which is why you find them close to populated areas. Some of the animals, although living wild on the streets, are fed by people. This is why they are sometimes known as “community animals”.

Many hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide have been poisoned, clubbed to death, euthanized or killed in other ways to solve the stray dog problem. But all these barbaric methods only lead to a short term decrease in the population density (the World Health Organisation
and the WSPA released a report stating the
most effective method is a combination of:
sterilisation, education on responsible dog ownership, and registration – identification of both animal and owner).

Bosnia and Herzegovina is famous by its barbaric methods of killing of stray animals despite the fact that the Bosnian Act on Protection and Welfare of Animals is one of the best laws in Europe and torturing and killing animals is a criminal offence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The 4th April, the World Stray Animals Day, was a sad day for all rescuers, so too are all days in the year.

All of you who have read my articles know them to be realistic and factual reports of a lawyer about the situation for stray animals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. My intention has always been to present you with facts as well as the legal background of happenings here and the concrete actions which can be done to help Bosnian animals.

When I started writing about the World Stray Animals Day and events in Bosnia, I wanted to present another realistic picture with all the needed facts, but there were some things that I cannot get out of my mind…

Being a rescuer in Bosnia is tough work. I have written many articles about this such as “The Silence of dogs” and “When activists do the work of the authorities”.

I often read the posts of my colleagues. I read about the animals they have saved and sometimes when we have time, we sit and talk about everything that is going on. I have noticed that none of us talks about the future, we all talk about the past or the present. We see no future.

This text isn’t about us, this text is about stray animals and the need to emphasise their suffering as well as the suffering of all animals every day, not only on days when there is some “special” (usually sad) occasion.

I am writing this because dark shadows of a dirty media campaign against stray dogs are appearing here again. General elections should be held in October 2018 and a few big scandals have happened in the past few months. Politicians need some subject to occupy the minds of primitive people and to spread fear.

They have been talking about a new war a lot recently, but obviously people don’t buy this spin anymore and after hearing and reading stories about a new war and political scandals, arrests and published articles about criminality of politicians, I have noticed headlines about “dangerous stray animals” again.

Dogs are a channel for the anger that people should feel towards those who are responsible for the way we live today. Dogs have become public enemy number one and the lightning rod for a society which suffers from all kinds of problems. If this society thinks about how to kill as many dogs as possible rather than how people can make a living, here the problem starts. We are a psychopathic society which suffers from mass aggression and a society that has misdirected its aggression.

The authorities don’t want to give up on making the situation worse for stray animals, but the rescuers won’t give up our fight to save them.

Animals suffer in silence and making the difference is the biggest thing we can do. Making a difference means being their voice. We must be their voice as well as their saviours.

Saving one life makes a difference; every saved life is worthwhile and important. Being the voice of animals is something that can change things for all animals, and that can end this nightmare once and for all.

Only by full implementation of the Act on the Protection and Welfare of Animals, will misuse and illegal killing in shelters and by hygienic services be prevented.

At this moment, animals are being caught and killed by dog catchers, hunters, psychopaths, utility workers and many other awful people who are ready to do everything for money here.

At this moment, only social networks are presenting the facts about massacres in Bosnia.

At this moment, only rescuers take care of stray animals thanks to help of good people.

At this moment, we are left on our own to fight against corrupt authorities.

At this moment, animals of Bosnia have you and us.

We need to change this, we must draw the attention of international media, organisations and embassies. “In Memory of Vucko” is the biggest online database of Bosnian horrors that can help all of us to find a way to influential organisations and politicians. If we had achieved this in 2009 when the Act on Protection and Welfare of Animals was enacted, we could achieve this now too.

As an experienced rescuer and lawyer who knows our situation deeply, I am frightened to admit I feel in the next period of time we will face a new aggressive campaign which means even more dog catchers and killers.

I wish I were wrong, but I have seen the worst in my work, I have seen things that I do not have strength to mention…

If you want to support Dalida in her work, what she needs most is support to keep her rescues safe so she can not worry about fundraising and focus on her legal work fighting for the rights of strays of Bosnia. You can send money via Paypal to: eldar.kozlic1@gmail.com and you can join her Facebook group.

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

Unimaginable cases of torture and killing of stray animals in Bosnia
New Risk of the Law Changing: the Strays of Bosnia Will Suffer!
Mass poisoning of stray dogs in Zenica, Bosnia
Hunters Killing Dogs Again
Seven Years of Lobbying for National Pet Register in Bosnia Comes to Fruition
Dogs Have Become Public Enemy Number One
Money laundering behind killing of stray dogs in Sarajevo
Evidence of crimes against dogs ignored
Illegal Catching and Killing of Dogs in Sarajevo
Terror for strays on the streets of Sarajevo
Monstrous Killing and Injuring of Stray Dogs in Zenica, Bosnia!
The responsibility of an animal rescuer

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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.

If you want your contribution to go to a specific cause, please make a note in the PayPal comment box. If you wish to contribute via bank transfer or have other difficulties or questions, please go here.

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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.

Bosnian Vet Inspector Hounds Animal Activist and Abuses Position

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Sandra Jensen

In early October of 2014 Dalida Kozlic filed an official request to the veterinary inspection of Canton Sarajevo, asking for an inspection to be made of the dog catching service of P.E. Lokum (a public service company for coordination, maintenance, and protection of facilities owned by Novi Grad Sarajevo municipality).

The leading veterinary inspector in this case was Emin Omerspahic, a man who had signed the most of the orders for stray dogs to be caught by Lokum. During an official conversation on the 17th of October, Dalida informed Emin Omerspahic that there was evidence to prove illegal activities undertaken by P.E. Lokum’s service, activities contravening the animal welfare Act. Omerspahic sent Dalida an official answer ten days later, after the legal deadline for such an answer had passed. It was obvious to Dalida from his answer that he had not, in fact, undertaken an inspected of P.E. Lokum.

Because Omerspahic hadn’t investigated the case as was required by inspection affairs laws, in November Dalida filed a discipline report against him, with the director of the Cantonal administration for inspection affairs. She also filed a criminal report against him as he had committed a number of criminal offences including abuse of his official position.

Once Dalida had filled these reports, she received a minor offence warrant. Omerspahic stated he was charging Dalida because she had filed reports against P.E. Lokum. In other words, he was charging her because she had fulfilled her civil duty to reporting illegal activities. Dalida requested a court hearing to establish the facts.

The court hearing was finally held on the 28th August 2015, during which Dalida presented evidence that Omerspahic supported Lokum. Omerspahic accused Dalida of being the reason dogs couldn’t be killed. Even the judge was shocked at this. She issued a decision in Dalida’s favour, explaining that Omerspahic had been chasing her because she was fighting to stop the illegal dog-catching and killing activities of P.E. Lokum, as well as the fact he had abused his position to file a minor offence warrant for a non existing minor offence, just to take revenge on the reports Dalida had made against him.

This court decision is the leading document which Dalida will use in filing a private suit against him to prove that he is acting without reason and that he targets her because of her legal activities.

Dalida has worked hard to fight this case, but more importantly, she is constantly involved in trying to ensure the animal welfare laws in Bosnia are applied. She needs our help. She has over 100 animals rescued from the illegal dog catchers or saved from abuse or starvation on the streets. She needs help to cover the costs to keep them safe, fed, healthy, off the streets, and away from the illegal dog catchers. She is working very hard to get the animals placed in adoptive homes outside Bosnia, but this debt is decreasing as time goes on. Until the dogs can be rehomed, it is necessary for now, to keep all her rescues safe.

Please assist by donating – any amount will help. There is a YouCaring set up to help cover September fees. You can also donate directly via Paypal, details below.

Dalida is an unemployed lawyer from Sarajevo who has been involved in protection of animals for more than 15 years and she is one of the activists with most experience in Bosnia. Also, she was one of the lobbyists who were involved in legislating of Animal Protection and Welfare Act in Bosnia, in 2009.

She investigates cases of animal abuse, as well as cases of obstructions in the implementation of the Animal Protection and Welfare Act. Her activities are focused on enforcement of this Act, collecting of evidence, filing criminal reports, and constant lobbying to ensure the Bosnian authorities implement the Act. Dalida also acts as a liason with international animal welfare advocates. She follows all activities of the police, the prosecutor’s office, and the veterinary inspectors, in order to prosecute and punish people who harm animals. She also participates in media debates about animal welfare.

For the sake of all the animals in Bosnia, we can not let Dalida’s spirit be broken. She needs our help now, as she recovers from this latest court battle. She needs our help to raise the money she needs to pay expenses through the end of September and the coming months. She can not keep her animals safe without our assistance.

If you prefer to donate directly via Paypal, you may use the following Paypal address: eldar.kozlic1@gmail.com. You may also donate directly at: donations@awabosnia.org and please mark for “Dalida’s September Expenses”.

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DONATIONS

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.

______________________________________________

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.

Official Investigation Ordered into Donji Vakuf Dog Poisoning

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Sandra Jensen

Written by Dalida Kozlic L.L.B, lawyer and activist, Breza, BiH

More than 50 stray dogs and cats, as well as pets, have been poisoned in Donji Vakuf since the beginning of March. Bodies of dead animals can be found on the streets of Donji Vakuf almost every day. The dogs were poisoned on city streets, in the doorways of buildings, in the city parks. The Veterinary Station of Donji Vakuf has confirmed that poison was used to kill the dogs, given the symptoms. The veterinary station stated that half the dogs killed had been sterilised in a local campaign. The criminal report against an unknown offender or more offenders was filed as a result of committing the criminal offences of torturing and killing of animals as well as provoking general danger on the 12th March.

I presented material evidence as part of the criminal report. The Prosecutor’s office of Canton Central Bosnia has ordered an official investigation of this case.

Criminal activities of the illegal and notorious group of dog catchers of P. C. “Lokom” Ltd. Novi Grad are being investigated. Unfortunately, due to the slow judicial system dog catchers are still active in Sarajevo. It is obvious that huge legal and media campaign has influenced on judicial authorities to start investigating this criminal group, but it is important to try to influence the Bosnian judicial authorities to forbid the activities of dog catchers. Because of this, it is important for all concerned to contact embassies of foreign countries and to ask them to support our battle against this group of dog catchers. It is not just a battle against dog killers; it is a battle against the corrupt system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Also, demonstrations held against illegal dog catchers of P. C. „Lokom“ Ltd. Novi Grad Sarajevo in front of the headquarters of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo on the 4th of April had a huge media impact. Most of the Bosnian media followed the demonstrations and published the demands of demonstrators. After two years of media darkness and dirty campaigning against stray dogs, rescuers and activists persuaded media publicity to speak about the illegal mass killings of stray animals in Sarajevo as well as in other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

HOW TO HELP

Find the Bosnia-Herzegovina Embassy in your own country:
http://embassy-finder.com/bosnia-and-herzegovina_embassies

Note: it is effective to write to your MEP and the Bosnia-Herzegovina Embassy in your own country in addition to your country’s representative in Bosnia:

Find your Embassy in Bosnia-Herzegovina:
http://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/bosnia-and-herzegovina

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

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?

_____________________________________________

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.

______________________________________________

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.

Sarajevo Demonstrations Against Illegal Dog Catchers

Posted on April 5, 2015 by Sandra Jensen

Written by Dalida Kozlic L.L.B, lawyer and activist, Breza, BiH

Demonstrations against illegal dog catchers of P. C. „Lokom“ Ltd. Novi Grad Sarajevo were held in front of the headquarters of the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo on 4th April between 1 p. m. until 3 p.m.

More than 300 activists, rescuers and citizens were present during the demonstrations. Journalists followed the demonstrations and have published the demands of rescuers and citizens.

The aim of the demonstration was to express displeasure at the illegal and criminal activities of dog catchers who have been killing stray dogs and stealing money from the budget in Canton Sarajevo for two years.

A notorious and illegal group of dog catchers was established in the municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo on 30th May of 2013. This so-called “Hygienic service” was not established and registered in accordance with the article 29 of Animal Protection and Welfare Act as well as Ordinance on establishing and conditions that hygienic services must fulfil. Since then, thousands of stray dogs have been killed in Sarajevo. The worst thing is that they have the support of the Inspectorate of Veterinary Inspection of Canton Sarajevo and the Administration of Police of Canton Sarajevo. The paradox is that the veterinary inspection and the police, who are obliged to stop and punish illegal dog catchers, support them and protect their illegal activities. Stray dogs, which are caught by dog catchers, are placed in former military building “Safet Zajko” in Sarajevo. Mustafa Mrkulic, a veterinarian, dispatches the dogs in the veterinary station that is established and owned by the municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo.

This illegal hygienic service invoices food, medications, veterinary services, placement, fuel, catching for dead dogs. Evidence for this was presented to Bosnian police officers and prosecutors. The Prosecutor’s office of Canton Sarajevo has started investigating allegations and evidences that Dalida Kozlic had presented in many criminal reports against illegal dog catchers. It is one of the worst violations of the Criminal Code in Bosnian history.

During the demonstrations citizens have demanded that authorities implement the Act on Protection and Welfare of Animals of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which would lead to solving of the problem of stray animals in a humane and legal way.

The Bosnian Act on Protection and Welfare of Animals is one of the best in Europe but no one is interested in implementing it. Corrupt authorities are often involved in illegal killing of stray and wild animals in their money laundering activities. Stray animals are victims of notorious torture. Politically eligible persons construct so-called shelters for stray animals, which are essentially concentration camps, and they invoice false spay/neuter programs, for food that is never be given to animals, for veterinary examinations and treatment, and at the end for the means for euthanasia. In reality, the stray animals are tortured, and killed in worst possible ways, by methods which the medieval Inquisition would be envious. It is illegal and represents a series of violations of Criminal law as well as Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Also the demonstrations were symbolic because the 4^th April is the International day of stray animals. Many citizens brought pictures and candles for all stray dogs that have been killed by illegal dog catchers.

See also: Sarajevo: Dogs Have the Right to Live on Journalists for Animals

News articles on BiH portals:
Sarajevo: Ispred Općine Novi Grad protest protiv nelegalnog ubijanja pasa
Sarajevo: Protest protiv ubijanja pasa

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

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?

_____________________________________________

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.

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.

______________________________________________

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.

The Silence of Dogs

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Sandra Jensen

By Dalida Kozlic L.L.B, lawyer and activist, Breza, BiH

It was a long time ago when people used to love dogs in Bosnia… Dogs as well as other animals have always been victims of an evil system and evil people in Bosnia, but “ordinary” people used to protect them, used to say that it was wrong to torture and kill animals, they used to cry when they saw injured, tortured and killed animal, they used to cry…

Now… Everything is different. I live in one of the most corrupt countries in the world, the country where killers and criminals live normally. People are not afraid of killers, rapers, abusers, robbers, corrupt politicians, doctors, professors. People are only afraid of dogs. Bosnian people have forgotten the war, they have forgotten how it looks and feels to be hungry, thirsty and abandoned. Frustrations are not focused on the people who are responsible for the fact that fifty-percent of our citizens are unemployed, for the fact that old people eat rubbish from containers, that criminals who enjoy living a normal life.

Frustrations instead are focused only on the homeless, hungry, thirsty and tortured animals, and especially on stray dogs. Dogs are considered to be devils in Bosnia. Bosnian people are cowards who are afraid to fight against a corrupt and evil system. Instead of fighting for a normal life, people have chosen to fight against those who do not have homes and who do not have a voice to fight for their own rights or a means to defend themselves.

Bosnia is a country of paradoxes. People and authorities only talk about a united country and how a united country is the most important issue for Bosnian people, but when the Act for the Protection and Welfare of Animals is to be implemented, people and authorities have no interest. People talk about justice, but when they must file a criminal report against offenders who commit the criminal offence of torturing and killing of animals, they do not care if justice is served, and in fact they do not want justice. People are not interested in the fact that animal abusers also kill and torture people.

Animal rights activists are also victims. They fight for Bosnian laws, but people say that they are not normal and the police chase them because they want to “protect Bosnian laws.” Another Bosnian paradox!

Do you know how difficult it is to fight against dog catchers? Do you know how difficult it is to watch helpless dogs caught by criminals and fight for their freedom? Do you know how a frightened dog looks like?

Dogs know everything. They know who an evil person is; they know what the real fear is… Every dogs wants a home and a lovely family. What do they have in Bosnia? They have people who feed them and try to save them from dog catchers, and they have fear…

No one knows when the dog catchers will come. In other parts of Bosnia no one knows when evil killers will come with rifles and kill dogs. No one knows who will kill an innocent dog because the news media say that dogs are dangerous. It is illegal, but people do not care… who cares for laws…

What can we see when “THEY” arrive? We see extreme violence against those who do not have the voice and who do not have any weapon to use to stop their butchery. Butchers use all illegal and notorious methods to catch and kill dogs. Stray animals are victims of torture. Politically eligible persons construct so-called shelters for stray animals, which have the function of concentration camps. The stray animals are tortured and killed in worst possible ways, with methods the medieval Inquisition would be envious of. Animals are beaten, cut, clubbed, raped or tortured in many other horrific ways. Animals do not have water, food, accommodation, they freeze or they are exposed to extremely high temperatures. Also, animals are killed with wires, glass shreds, poison and also firearms. It is illegal and represents a series of violations of Criminal law as well as Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but no one cares…

Do you know what we see in eyes of tortured animals? We see fear, pain and suffering, but also we see something that no one can explain. They have look which says, “My world is destroyed”, “I have been betrayed”. There are no words to explain the pain in their eyes. There are no words to explain how tortured dogs behave, how frightened they are, but only tortured animals know what they feel in their souls.

That is Bosnia, a place where helpless animals are victims of collective frustration… a place where dogs are not humans’ best friends… a place where dogs have become enemies of people, a place where is normal to see a river of blood on the street and hear screams of innocent souls…

It was a long time ago when dogs used to be happy with people in Bosnia. Only the silence of dogs has remained in Bosnia.

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URGENT: Dalida Kozlic faces prosecution on 19 March 2015 for enforcing the laws of the country. She will be accused of preventing dog catchers from carrying out the brutal and illegal seizure and slaughter of stray dogs on the streets of Sarajevo. Dalida’s father faces similar charges. they could be fined from €250 up to €2500, even though the law is on their side. Please donate to the YouCaring Fundraiser to help Dalida:
Please support Dalida in endless battle for Bosnian strays! Or if you prefer you can help Dalida with a direct donation via Paypal to: eldar.kozlic1@gmail.com

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

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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.

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.

Animal Activist Interviewed about Flood Disaster in Bosnia

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Dalida Kozlić (BiH): Aktivisti rade 24/7! Interview of Dalida Kozlic by Rujana Jeger in Bez Dlake Na Jeziku

Translation of the interview into English:

Dalida Kozlić is an ideal spokesperson on the topic of protection of animals. She is a lawyer who deals with the legal protection of animals, including documentation and reporting of crimes of torture and killing of animals, as well as the failure to implement and violations of provisions of the Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This young girl (24) is an activist for animal rights and a rescuer with more than 15 years of experience. We began to correspond when I saw Damir Janacek’s movie ” Kinofil “, which drew my attention to the situation of stray dogs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to the abuse of animals in general. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina has been hit by the worst floods ever, I am wondering how animals are being rescued.

BDNJ : Dalida, we know that the flooding has affected a big part of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the situation is catastrophic, tell us more details …

DK : The situation is terrible, especially in Doboj, Maglaj, Orašje, Odzak, Bijeljina, Bosanski Samac. Damage to properties and infrastructure will be almost the same as damage from the war. Unfortunately, there are casualties. Over one million people have no access to drinking water, thousands of people have lost their homes due to floods or landslides which have been destroying hundreds of houses. Homecoming will be a slow process for many people. Many houses were destroyed or became unsafe because of the huge quantity of water. Many of the affected areas have lost literally everything. Restoration of terrain will be a long and slow process.

BDNJ : What is the situation for the animals ? We know that there are a lot of stray dogs in BiH…

DK : Unfortunately , many animals were killed. In some areas all livestock died. Many wild animals were killed in landslides, and many left their habitats. Many stray animals died too. Some stray animals escaped to forests and mountains. Unfortunately, many of them were injured or they drowned in the water. It has been reported that many people organised rescue operations for stray animals, pets and livestock. There were cases where people didn’t want to be evacuated without their animals. Unfortunately, people were not in such solidarity with the animals in some parts of Bosnia. Many cattle weren’t discharged from the stables and corral; too many animals remained tied with chains in some areas. Some of them were rescued, and some weren’t saved. There is a very positive aspect that many people have been doing their best to save the animals for more than 10 days, but there is a terrible side that many animals have been left at the mercy of nature – consciously by the owner.

BDNJ : Has the government done something in terms of rescuing of animals and their care?

DK : The reaction of the state when it comes to animals is as usual inadequate. Prevention and / or suppression of the epidemic ought to be a priority. Not enough or nothing was done to rescue animals during floods since many of them had been wounded or sick. Given that there are numerous obstructions in the implementation of the Animal Protection and Welfare Act, injured and sick animals have nowhere to be placed. The Veterinary Office and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of University of Sarajevo have been working in the field of combating epidemics of various diseases, given that corpses of animals and garbage is being removed very slowly, and that temperatures are very high.

BDNJ : Many volunteers and members of animal protection associations have been saving animals in Croatia. What is the situation like in Bosnia?

DK : Many activists, rescuers and volunteers have been saving animals in Bosnia. We are working 24/7 to provide food, medications, veterinary assistance and fostering for the animals. We do not have any help from the state. Many international organizations and individuals are helping us in different ways. It is very important to act preventively because of diseases and to provide vaccines and medications. Also, activists continue to organise the rescue of animals in the flooded areas. I express my great appreciation to the organisations Marianne’s Dog Food Bank and Animal Welfare Advocates for Bosnia and Herzegovina, which have given us all possible assistance in rescuing of animals. These organizations have been fighting for animal rights in Bosnia and enabled the rescue of thousands of animals. Their help is invaluable and I have to point out that many animals have been rescued in the previous period. Many activists are constantly on the field and provide all possible care and help for animals. I want to thank to the wonderful teams from Sarajevo (Jelena , Alica, Edina , Arijana , etc ) and Tuzla (Amila, Ivana ) for the courage and dedication they have shown .

BDNJ : Does it seem to you that this disaster somewhat has changed the attitude of people towards animals ? Are people aware that we equal are in the face of all horrors?

DK : The consciousness of people about animals has changed in some parts of Bosnia. People have expressed their support to the most helpless creatures, but unfortunately in some areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina it is not going to happen for a long time.

BDNJ : What is happening with the legislative procedure on the draft amendments to Animal Protection and Welfare Act of BiH, which provides for the euthanasia of stray dogs ?

DK : Proposal for changes and amendments to the Animal Protection and Welfare Law contains obscene, primitive and inhuman provisions for euthanasia of healthy stray animals that are fostered in shelters (which have never been created) for stray animals, if they are not adopted in 14 days. Legal procedure is not completed and no one knows when it will be finished in the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly since a vice president and member of the House of Peoples Sulejman Tihic has cancer. For this reason, meeting of the Collegiums of the House of Peoples cannot be held to discuss amendments to the Animal Protection and Welfare Act. We hope that the face of disaster will show people that all suffer equally and that there is no need to inflict more pain when there are humane solutions. And finally, here you can see the documentary Kinofil. It is very sad. And very good.

More about Dalida and how you can support her work here.

If you can help in the fundraising effort to assist rescue groups in the aftermath of the floods please donate via our YouCaring or via Paypal to donations@awabosnia.org as per the instructions below and mark it for EMERGENCY FUNDS. Thank you! No amount is too small.

For ongoing updates please see our Facebook page AWABosnia

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DONATIONS

Funds are needed not only to help individual rescues but also to continue our advocacy work in Bosnia Herzegovina, uncovering the truth about what is happening there.

On our sister site, 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.

If you want your contribution to go to a specific dog or cause, please make a note in the PayPal comment box. If you wish to contribute via bank transfer or have other difficulties or questions, please go here.

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IN MEMORY OF VUČKO

raising awareness and funds to stop animal suffering in Sarajevo and Bosnia-Herzegovina

Tag Archives: Dalida Kozlic

The Importance of Fighting Against Cruelty to Animals

World Stray Animals Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnian Vet Inspector Hounds Animal Activist and Abuses Position

Official Investigation Ordered into Donji Vakuf Dog Poisoning

Sarajevo Demonstrations Against Illegal Dog Catchers

The Silence of Dogs

Animal Activist Interviewed about Flood Disaster in Bosnia