DPM Simović at first session of Council for Animal Protection: I expect to find systematic and responsible solutions

 The Council for the Animal Protection, recently established, should provide concrete and effective responses to numerous problems related to the protection of animal welfare, with a special emphasis on the most actual in relation to the inhuman treatment of individuals with regard to animals, the irresponsible attitude of the owner towards the home pets, the problem of a large number of stray dogs and the more frequent occurrence of dog attacks on people, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture Milutin Simović at today's first session of the Council. DPM Simović recalled that the Government recognised the need for an engagement of responsible institutions, as well as all the subjects of society in solving these problems and other challenges in this area, which led to the creation of the Council for the Protection of Animals on 24 May  this year. "The development of one society can be measured with several indicators, and one of them is the attitude of society towards animals. For this reason, for many years now, we have numerous reminders, in the form of cases of inhuman treatment of animals, attacks of dogs on people, especially children, irresponsible attitude of owners to pets, a large number of stray dogs in urban areas. We must not watch it all quietly. It is a time to deal with these problems, systematically and responsibly, not only with ad hoc actions, and not just on the basis of public and civilian publicity, but together in partnership, " DPM Simović said in addressing members of the Council. The Council consists of the representatives of the Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Directorate, the Veterinary Chamber, the Department for Advisory Services in Livestock, and the NGO Network for the Protection of Dogs and Cats of Montenegro.

DPM Simović said that the composition of the councils encouraged, because it gives a sense of security, openness and pragmatism to people who has professional and other necessary experience in relation to this topic. DPM Simović is particularly pleased with the participation of representatives of NGOs dealing with the issue of animal protection, expressing the belief that the civil sector will demonstrate an essential role and position in society through participation in the council, which is a partnership role and contribution to solving the problem.

Recalling the role of the advice defined in the formation decision, DPM Simović emphasised the expectation that this body should deal with a number of specific topics in a way that will determine priority areas for action and demonstrate effectiveness in the results.

In determining priority activities, DPM Simović suggested to the Council to initiate the resolution of the most pressing issues, the issue of the growing population of stray dogs, the responsibility of dog owners and frequent attacks by dogs on people, stating that serious warnings and recent incidents related to dog attacks on children.

"We need to define an urgent action plan in which, among other things, you will propose an improvement of the legislation. Through the amendments to the Veterinary Law, which were adopted yesterday in Parliament, we have created legal assumptions that the Rules for pet identification can be adopted in the short term. We need to urgently establish a system for identifying and registering pets," DPM Simović said and suggested that the necessary activities be implemented in that direction. Furthermore, DPM Simović suggested that priority be given to stray of pets, which will provide more responsible attitude of owners to pets, and then engaging more cooperatively with local governments in terms of creating conditions for the construction and sustainable management of shelters for abandoned animals. Regarding the shelter, DPM Simović also stated that the current invitation from the Ministry of Agriculture to finance NGO projects in this area would give the desired effects, pointing out that the civil sector expressed interest. DPM Simović suggested that one of the topics will be be a kennel registration, so in order to provide financial support and pilot projects, DPM Simović demonstrated an engaging relationship in cooperation with international organisations, such as the OIE (International Organization for Animal Health). The special focus of the councils, he said, should be education and awareness raising in the part of the relationship with animals and their well-being.

''The Council should have specific plans and clear indicators of work. I will be intrigued to follow the effects of work, not through the number of sessions held, but concrete actions on these topics. I think that we can and should create the assumptions that Montenegro is an example of how significant progress can be made in this area, " the Deputy Prime Minister Simović stressed.The Council for the Protection of Animals consists of a President and six members. The President is Director of the Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Directorate Vesna Daković, and members - representatives of the Veterinary Chamber of Montenegro Ratko Ralević, Ivan Popović and Predrag Stojović, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture Gojko Babović and Sunčica Boljević, and the representative of the NGO for the protection of animals Svetlana Manojlović which was changed at today's session by Gordana Mijović. Vesna Radusinović, an adviser at the Food Safety Directorate, was appointed as a Secretary of the Council.