I have been following this story for quite some time and with a lot of interest. The issue is that of the stray dogs in Albania’s cities- these animals are often loved and cared for by members of the community, they develop bonds with those that feed them, and some are even in the process of being adopted. That is until they end up poisoned in a dumpster.
Multiple stories are circulating that stray dogs are being picked up, poisoned, and then dumped into skips, pubic spaces, and landfill sites around Durres and Tirana.
One such example is “Larry”, a young adolescent mixed breed that used to wait outside the school in Durres, wagging her tail as his favourite humans came to greet him. She was in the process of being adopted by a family who were in the process of getting papers, tickets, and even her vaccinations ready to take her to a new home in the United States. Larry was just two weeks away from a new life in a new country until this morning she was found dead.
The vet confirmed that Larry had been poisoned, and she was discovered lifeless under a tree by her human friends. Not wanting the children from the school to discover her in this way, they wrapped her in plastic and put her in a nearby skip- heartbroken at the discovery. Is this the work of the Bashkia in an attempt to make the town look nice and clean for tourists? Or is this the work of local businesses and people that want these four-legged “eyesores” to be eradicated from the streets?
One commentator on Facebook noted angrily; “What is next? Poisoning the gipsies?”
Today, a group of angry protestors will be meeting at the Bashkia at 12 pm to discuss with leaders of the town and local activists, who will take responsibility for these unnecessary deaths. There are three questions that need to be answered:
- Who is taking these dogs off the streets?
- Who is poisoning them and then dumping their bodies?
- Who is giving the orders for this to happen?
The Bashkia is blaming local businesses and people, and the local businesses and people are blaming the Bashkia, so who is lying and who is telling the truth? The fact of the matter is that dogs are disappearing at an alarming rate and the public demand to know what is happening to them. Are the dogs that are picked up to be “neutered and chipped” really taken care of? Or do they end up in a skip in the middle of nowhere, dead and forgotten? Are these animals being poisoned by vigilante citizens with a hatred for mans best friend? Or is this a part of a widespread social cleansing and gentrification effort with no consideration for the fact that these animals have souls as well? We need answers and the Bashkia in both Tirana and Durres needs to either accept responsibility or make a formal statement condemning such atrocities- which one will it be?
To show your support or get involved today, please attend or contact Sazan Guri on 0682070560.
Follow The Balkanista!
