Former Military Base in Sarajevo involved in dog killing?

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Sandra Jensen

The strays of Sarajevo….

Published yesterday in the BiH print newspaper and today in the online portal Dnevni Avaz, English translation below:

Activists for the rights of animals have filed criminal reports against 18 employees of “Lokom” who acting as ‘dog catchers’, illegally killing stray dogs in the former military base of “Safet Zajko”

Employees of the public company “Lokom” Ltd. in Novi Grad Sarajevo catch and kills stray dogs in the former military object “Safet Zajko” every day, claims animal rights activist Dalida Kozlić.

According to her statement, due to the criminal offence of torture and unlawful killing of animals, she has filed criminal reports against four companies and 18 individuals including the mayor of the municipality of Novi Grad, Semir Efendić (SDA political party).

Illegal dog pound

“The public must know that this hygiene service that is illegally formed within P. C. “Lokom”. It is not licensed and registered by the court for an activity of removal of stray dogs. Despite this fact, these illegally acting dog catchers of “Lokom” have been catching and killing stray dogs for almost two years. We know that a legal shelter for stray animals is not formed by the municipality of Novi Grad, but the municipality has formed an illegal pound in the former military object “Safet Zajko”. Dogs are killed in the veterinary station “Novi Grad” Ltd., which is located in Reljevo and in the former military base “Safet Zajko,”” says Kozlić.

Dalida Kozlic

She adds she has tried to find out where in the municipality of Novi Grad “Lokom” disposes the corpses of the dogs. She was informed it was a “business secret”.

The public company “Rad”, which has a license to remove, transport and disposal of dog corpses, have confirmed their workers take the corpses from the former military base “Safet Zajko”.

“Bodies are driven to the landfill in Buca Potok and we throw them in special pits and cover them with lime and other special sanitation substances that do not endanger the environment,” confirmed the public company “Rad”.

Without Comment

We have tried to get information from “Lokom”, whose director is Ramiz Durakovic (SDA), about what their teams are doing with captured animals and where they are transported. However, instead of answering, the management has referred us to the Veterinary Station of Novi Grad, who allegedly is in charge of these questions.

Veterinary inspection and its reaction

Reports about the killing of stray dogs in the military base “Safet Zajko” were received by inspectors of Cantonal Administration for Inspection Affairs.

“We have had several complaints regarding legality of the hygienic service that works at this company. However, during our control we did not notice any irregularities,” the institution stated.

End of Article
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Activists and animal lovers in Sarajevo are desperate. One activist has made a YouTube imploring animal lovers everywhere to please call their embassy in Bosnia and put public pressure on the government to stop what is happening to the strays:

More details on how to contact your embassy are on this post: AUTHORISED SLAUGHTER OF DOGS IN SARAJEVO

You can also email Semir Efendic, Mayor of Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality: ngsa@bih.net.ba.

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

“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.

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.

“DOG-CATCHERS” OF SARAJEVO CAUGHT IN ACTION!

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Sandra Jensen

Videos have emerged of illegal dog catchers operating in Sarajevo, Bosnia. There is an ongoing illegal campaign to exterminate stray dogs in Sarajevo. The dog catching operations are being overseen by Semir Efendic, Mayor of Novi Grad Sarajevo Municipality. We are asking everyone to email him and demand an end to this illegal and inhumane extermination of stray dogs. His email is ngsa@bih.net.ba. Or tweet at @novigrad2012. The following video shows these infamous “dog catchers” of Sarajevo at work, using a blow dart….

Only an official veterinarian is allowed to use blow dart and to sedate animals. These men in the video are not veterinarians. In addition, when a dog is sedated by a vet who uses a blow dart, there is no reason to use another syringe. A man who had been taking care of the dog in the video filled an official request to get his dog. There has been no response. It is mostly likely this poor dog was killed with the second injection. And finally, it is a fact that even a legal hygienic service (Lokum, who is the service catching these dogs. is not legal) is not allowed to use blow and to sedate animals. For more information and a breakdown of the video into separate parts and an explanation, please see Journalists for Animals.

Since this video has been published, the representative of the British foundation Dogs Trust issued a statement to the media. The statement says that Dogs Trust will withhold its support to Canton Sarajevo in resolving the problem of stray dogs if the overseeing institutions sanction continuing violations of the law.

Please read the last blog on this site for details and how to STOP THIS HORROR!: AUTHORISED SLAUGHTER OF DOGS IN SARAJEVO

Related articles:

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.

______________________________________________

Dogs Trust Bosnia Respond to Allegations

Posted on September 27, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Yesterday on the BiH news portal Taco.net, Dogs Trust BiH published a response to the article authored by Dalida Kozlic, L.L.B, lawyer and activist (Dogs Trust BiH to be Prosecuted for Illegal Activities in Bosnia Herzegovina):

Dogs Trust: Reaction to September 23rd article by Dalida Kozlic

We consider the article written by Dalida Kozlic and published on September 23rd to be unworthy of a special response due to its unprofessional way of presenting serious and contradictory accusations, non-truths and detractions, while failing to produce any evidence.

Without an intention to further engage in discussion, we would like to state the following:
• The role of Foundation Dogs Trust BH (DTBH) has always been clear – to help authorities to comprehensively, not partially, implement the law on protection and welfare of animals and resolve the problem of stray dogs in a systematic and sustainable way.
• DTBH did not officially support any decision of Canton of Sarajevo Government and it does not have an established partnership with Public Enterprise “Rad,” and if a partnership is created, it will be exclusively tied to the implementation of the law; meaning the formation of a hygiene service, which is mandated by the existing law. Regardless of Rad’s activities prior to 2009 that were in accordance with the previous law, presently this services can be activated only as a hygiene service based on the current law. The Veterinary Inspection of Canton Sarajevo, which previously ordered transformation of “Rad” into a hygiene service, will oversee the process of reactivating “Rad” to ensure that the order is followed lawfully.
• As a charitable organization, DTBH does not dictate anything to anyone and it does not interfere with governance; the initiative originated within the government and they accepted our earlier offered assistance. DTBG will participate in this and all other initiatives within its capacity as long as these initiatives fit within the framework of the law.
• DTBH has financed only its own legal activities in partnership with relevant institutions. These same activities are implemented by other international and local organizations. Everything that DTBH does is in accordance with BiH law, and as a leading world organization of this kind, its activities are congruent with the highest standards for animal welfare.
• Mass sterilization is mandated by law and it is being implemented lawfully and in accordance with the highest standards for animal welfare. Other participants include only registered veterinary facilities and their licensed staff who work under the oversight of national and international inspectors.
• DTBH will respond to the government’s appeals for conversation on the implementation of the law and the resolution of the stray dog problem, and we cannot control who else the host invites to participate in the conversations.
• DTBH has not in any way been a part of the formation of the county hygiene services N. Grad – Lokom. The county previously participated in our mass sterilization actions during which dog catchers from all counties were trained. Those same dog trainers refused to return borrowed dog catching equipment, essentially stealing it.
• DTBH has the right like everyone else to conduct a survey of dogs and publish its findings. DTBH utilized the newest methods and engaged a local organization and Veterinary University students, who were trained by the Office of Veterinary BiH, to conduct counting of the dogs.
• DTBH is not leading any campaign against building of shelters, on the contrary, it is soliciting the authorities to build shelters in accordance with the law.

To see the original article above, please go to: Dogs Trust: REAKCIJA NA ČLANAK IZ 23.9. AUTORA DALIDE KOZLIĆ

Dog’s Trust UK has further made the following statement to us:

“Sadly it came to light recently that there have been a number of dog attacks in Sarajevo. Since this news broke, Dogs Trust has renewed conversations with Minister Petrovic to deal with the city’s dogs and will continue to liaise with him and his team to ensure the best outcome for the dogs and people of Sarajevo. The suggestions to return to a world in which dogs are simply caught and killed is not a viable option and one that Dogs Trust would not support. Instead we continue to call for the full implementation of the catch, neuter and release scheme already envisioned by the 2009 animal welfare law. The team in Sarajevo are working incredibly hard to make this happen.

We would never turn a blind eye to abuse or cruelty. The suggestion is frankly absurd – our sole reason for existing is to protect the welfare of dogs. If anyone has evidence of people catching and killing dogs illegally whoever they may be then we would welcome any evidence they have and put considerable pressure on the local authorities to investigate animal cruelty cases.

Things are incredibly hard, but there are good people out there who are working for a better future. This is an incredibly important moment for animal welfare in Bosnia and I would encourage people to come together rather than spend time on allegations based on rumour or hearsay without any evidence to support them.

If people would like to learn more about the work that we actually do in Bosnia then I would encourage them to visit our website: www.dogstrust.ba.

Dalida Kozlic has stated to us that she has already forwarded evidence of malpractice but nothing has been done. She will continue her documentation and investigations on these matters.

Petitions:
BOSNIA! IMPLEMENT HUMANE STRAY-DOG AND CAT POPULATION CONTROL AND TREATMENT
Stop massive killing of dogs in Sarajevo
Petition to save Bosnia’s stray dogs! Please sign!
Also see the petitions on the Petitions page.

_____________________________________________

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 as a ‘gift’. 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.

______________________________________________

Dogs Trust BiH to be Prosecuted for Illegal Activities in Bosnia Herzegovina

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

Article published on the Bosnia Herzegovina news portal Taco.net today, authored by Dalida Kozlic, L.L.B, lawyer and activist:
DOGS TRUST UČESTVUJE U UDARU NA USTAVNI POREDAK BIH, KAO I ORGANIZOVANOM KRIMINALU

English Translation:

DOGS TRUST IS INVOLVED IN ATTACK ON CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER OF BIH AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES

The role of Dogs Trust Foundation has been clarified during the current events concerning the illegal decision of the Government of Sarajevo Canton to form a dog catching service with Public Enterprise (P. E.) “Rad” Sarajevo.

It appears that the Dogs Trust Foundation is interested in everything except the welfare and protection of stray dogs. According to Ahmed Đipa PR of P. E. “Rad”, as well as by admission of the staff of Dogs Trust BiH, the foundation finances and trains dog catchers of the company P. E. “Rad”. Also, Dogs Trust has provided the equipment for this illegal dog catching service. Dogs Trust has publicly supported the decision of Government of Canton Sarajevo on the forming of the illegal dog catching service, P. E. “Rad”.

The Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina came into force in April 2009. The Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina forbids any form of torture to animals, and obliges the local governments (cities and municipalities) to provide shelter for stray animals.
On 18.05.2009, the Veterinary Inspection Sarajevo Canton adopted the Decision No. 07-06 – 24 – CS – 295 ordering P. E. “Rad” to align their work with the regulations of the Law on the animal protection and welfare of BiH (Official. Gazette 9.25). In the said decision it was stated that P. E. “Rad” does not have permission to work because its activities and catching of stray dogs was illegal and contrary to provisions of the Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the decision had been issued, P. E. “Rad” ceased their activities.

However, the Government of Canton Sarajevo is being drawn into illegal activities, because the foreign organisation Dogs Trust has provided money for these illegal activities.

Authorities in Canton Sarajevo should not and must not permit this rich foundation, which has intentions contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Code of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Animal Protection and Welfare Act, to dictate the policy of the local government.

By financing and training of an illegal dog catching service, Dogs Trust participates in the preparation and execution of a series of crimes.

Since the foundation Dogs Trust has directly supported illegal activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the question is whether the decision of the Government of Canton Sarajevo on forming of the illegal dog catching service has been enacted by an initiative of the government or because of pressure from Dogs Trust, which has been carrying out illegal activities in Canton Sarajevo for two years, all with the aim of implementing its illegal policies and questionable financial operations, which must be the subject of investigative actions by the prosecuting authority.

Dogs Trust insists upon partial implementation of Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina and they encourage Bosnian authorities in criminal activities by providing a cover for certain activities under the guise of law enforcement. Dogs Trust participates in many criminal activities in the Sarajevo Canton. Mass spay/neuter campaigns have been organised without any respect for the legal system of Bosnia. Establishing of shelters for stray animals and a database (microchip) registration of dogs and cats are legal obligations. Local authorities are obliged to build shelters for stray animals in accordance with the Animal Protection and Welfare Act as well as ensure compliance with regulations which stipulate acceptable living conditions of stray animals housed in public shelters. Also, it is the legal obligation of local authorities is to establish hygienic services which are obliged to collect lost and stray animals and move them to local shelters, in accordance with Animal Protection and Welfare Act, and this service must also comply with legal requirements stipulating establishment of such service and conditions which the service must fulfill to be recognized legally.

There are not any legal shelter and hygienic services in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

CNR (catch-neuter-return) method is not a legal obligation in BiH, but it is a legal possibility- a provisional rule until the full scope of services for abandoned animals are established. Until animal shelters are actually established (as described in Article 28 of the Act, by the bodies defined by this Act), veterinary stations can, in cooperation with the competent municipal bodies, perform spay and neuter and mark abandoned animals, specifically stray dogs, and release them back to their natural habitats, with the goal being to stabilise the stray animal population by controlling their reproduction within the shortest possible period. Since the mass spay/neuter campaigns have been implemented without legal permissions and procedures, but through public tenders for participation in these actions, the activities of Dogs Trust are de facto an experimentation on domestic animals.

Choosing veterinary stations that perform spay/neuter campaign is carried out without the permission of the relevant veterinary institutions. The legal system in Bosnia does not approve of any institutional power of the NGO in Bosnia, i.e., NGOs cannot interfere in the powers of government, as Dogs Trust is doing. Dogs Trust tries to play the role of rescuer in the Sarajevo Canton, ignoring the provisions of Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina and suggests that the BiH authorities act contrary to their own statutory provisions.

Representatives of the Dogs Trust attended the press conference at which, among others, was addressed Muriz Alic, the owner of the (generously labeled as, but practically an internment camp) “shelter” for abandoned animals in Praca, whose work and business is under investigation by the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office in Sarajevo Canton. These representatives confirmed that they are not interested issue of camps for abandoned animals, rather that they are interested in pressing the authorities to enter into activities. Activities which are illegal.

Daily complaints from veterinarians and people who bring dogs to the veterinary stations to be spayed/neutered unambiguously indicate that Dogs Trust and employees of Dogs Trust demand that sick, injured and old dogs are euthanized during the actual mass spay/neuter campaign.This assertion is supported by material evidence.

In accordance with the provisions of the Animal Protection and Welfare Act of Bosnia and Herzegovina, only an authorised official veterinarian may order the euthanasia of animals.

By ordering of euthanasia, Dogs Trust not only interferes in the competences of authorised official veterinarians, but commits a criminal offence under Article 318 of the Criminal Code of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (torture and killing of animals), as well as incitement to commit a criminal offence.

Dogs Trust is also directly involved in the formation of the hygienic service of P. E. “Lokom” Novi Grad Sarajevo, which is an illegal service. This hygienic service was directly formed under the patronage of coordinators of Dogs Trust in 2013. Dogs Trust has trained dog catchers employed in this hygienic service and there were material evidences that Dogs Trust provided equipment for their illegal activities.

Mustafa Mrkulic, a veterinarian, who is the most famous killer of stray dogs in Sarajevo, has participated in many mass spay/neuter campaigns organised by Dogs Trust.

Also Dogs Trust publicly announced that there are over 11 000 stray dogs on the streets of Sarajevo Canton, without having any grounds, or authority to make such a claim.. Only the State Veterinary Office is authorised to count and publish data on the number of stray dogs on the streets of Sarajevo Canton as well as the whole of Bosnia. This is one in a series of moves that shows that Dogs Trust not only do not respect the laws of the country in which it operates, but also directly obstructs the work of the state institutions.

By disseminating illegal and ill-informed information about the number of stray dogs on the streets of Sarajevo Canton, this organization has caused panic among the citizens of Sarajevo. Of course, by doing so, they provided an “argument” for some of the media which have been leading the campaign against the abandoned animals for more than 2 years. This aggressive campaign against establishing and construction of lawful animal shelters in Bosnia, which is a legal obligation of government, is (if not directly organized, than actively supported) by Dogs Trust and it directly contributes to an atmosphere that there is no solution to reduce the population of stray dogs.

Now, Dogs Trust positioned themselves as the only organization which offers solutions – which are in direct violation of the laws and regulations of the country in which they operate.

Criminal charges will be filed and evidence submitted to the competent prosecutor’s office regarding all Dogs Trust illegal activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina; against individuals working for and management of Dogs Trust BiH and against Dogs Trust as a legal entity.

To see the original article please go here.

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Petitions:
BOSNIA! IMPLEMENT HUMANE STRAY-DOG AND CAT POPULATION CONTROL AND TREATMENT
Stop massive killing of dogs in Sarajevo
Petition to save Bosnia’s stray dogs! Please sign!
Also see the petitions on the Petitions page.

Related media:

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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 as a ‘gift’. 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.

______________________________________________

Bosnia: Sarajevo set to become the next Bucharest

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Sandra Jensen

The Sarajevo Canton government met in assembly today and a decision was made to reactivate the dog catching service to remove the stray dogs from the streets of Sarajevo.

While this decision might on the surface seem benign, the question must be asked: what methods will be used to catch the dogs? What will be done with the stray dogs once caught? Where will these dogs be removed to? And what then will be done with them?

If you have read this blog you will know that the public shelters are entirely inhumane with documentation of dog corpses lying amongst living dogs, dogs crammed into tiny cages without food or water or veterinary care and that ‘euthanasia’ is usually undertaken by brutal means as the legal methods are too costly to perform. The decision made today will in theory be to remove dogs that are aggressive, ill or dogs too old to survive on the streets. It is the experience of the activists in Bosnia Herzegovina that these decisions are used as an excuse to kill as many strays as possible, regardless of disposition or health.

“Those dogcatchers are killers, real killers.They used to kill strays in the most horrible ways. After the Animal Protection and Welfare Act had been enacted, their activities were forbidden. Today the Government of Canton Sarajevo issued decision and ordered Ministry of physical planing and environment to form that service today. It is against our constitution. This decision is unconstitutional and illegal since local governments must not issue decisions that are contrary to state acts. This company/service is illegal since it is a killing company and their work is forbidden,” says Dalida Kozlic L.L.B.

Dogs Trust BiH will start a mass sterilisation project on September the 15th. Another question to ask is will there will be any dogs left to sterilise?

For more details please read today’s post on Journalists for Animals: Bosnia: Sarajevo set to become the next Bucharest.

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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 as a ‘gift’. 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.

______________________________________________

IN MEMORY OF VUČKO

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

Tag Archives: Dogs Trust

Former Military Base in Sarajevo involved in dog killing?

“DOG-CATCHERS” OF SARAJEVO CAUGHT IN ACTION!

Dogs Trust Bosnia Respond to Allegations

Dogs Trust BiH to be Prosecuted for Illegal Activities in Bosnia Herzegovina

Bosnia: Sarajevo set to become the next Bucharest