Demand Investigation into Horror Shelter in Hresa, Bosnia

Dear Sir, Madam,

We, the undersigned, request that the Government of Bosnian and Herzegovina, the Istocni Stari Grad authorities and municipality mayor Bojo Gašanovic in particular, investigate the matter of the Hreša dog shelter.

We have reliable reports and eyewitness accounts substantiated by photographs from November 1st that over 50 dogs were being kept in inhumane conditions, without adequate food or water or veterinary treatment, that numerous dogs were kept in tiny cages, that dead dogs were left amongst living dogs, that dogs had open, untended wounds. Furthermore, there were reports that any non-purebred dog caught by the shelter was killed, and that purebred dogs were stolen from owners and only released to the owner if a ransom was paid.

Slaviša Jovcic, the director of the shelter and director of Glog, the company that built the shelter, stated that he was promised 130 000 KM from the municipalities for the shelter, but the full amount of the money was never paid by the municipality and therefore Slaviša Jovcic said he could not ensure the care of the dogs. However he promised cooperation with the activists, said he was willing to help them feed and care for the dogs.

On November 3rd, a second visit to the shelter was paid by animal welfare activists as they had found homes for 10 dogs. But 90% of the dogs in the shelter had disappeared. Workers from the shelter stated that dogs had been killed on November 2nd  and buried in a garbage dump. Photographs taken by activists on November 3rd show the shelter as almost entirely empty. Activists left as they feared for their lives, but managed to rescue two adult dogs and five puppies.

We demand that a full investigation is undertaken, that any illegal actions be dealt with to the full extent of the law. We will not cease our enquiries until answers are provided. All international animal welfare organisations either have been or will be contacted about this atrocity.

We further demand that the municipality ensures that the facility is immediately provided with proper management and funds to care for any remaining dogs. Modern practices must be implemented, giving food and fresh water and the facility be must kept sanitary and properly staffed with veterinary professionals so the animals are cared for and, ultimately, caring homes need to be found for the dogs.

This situation has sparked a global outcry and we look to the Bosnian and Herzegovinan justice system and authorities to conform with EU standards regarding animal welfare, and to apply the law that was passed in Bosnia Herzegovina incorporating these EU standards.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter