THE WAR IS OVER BUT THE BRUTAL MASSACRE OF ANIMALS ADVANCES

April 19, 2005

PLEASE CROSSPOST

During the past several weeks we have been contacted by countless

Serbians concerned about the startling escalation of blatant animal

abuse in their country. Due to widespread corruption and a " fear factor "

regarding retribution that still exists in Serbia, these individuals

requested that we tell their story while keeping their identities

secret. Following, are facts and observations recounted by Serbian

citizens to the writers of this article.

Ever since the end of the war, Serbia has been inundated with abandoned

street animals, the majority of whom are brutally murdered. Like so many

other places in the world, most citizens and civil authorities are not

educated in humane animal issues and furthermore, do not care.

Sterilization (spay/neuter) is not widely practiced. The animal welfare

laws that do exist are not enforced and improving animal welfare is not

a priority of Serbian government officials.

While it is understandable that the country is still in transition due

to its history of war, Serbian citizens reporting the injustices to us,

rumor that ample documentation exists detailing rampant corruption not

only among Serbian authorities but even within some of the non

governmental organizations (NGOs) purportedly engaged in animal welfare.

Thankfully, a small minority of compassionate people are working

diligently to bring about positive change for both companion and farmed

animals. Obviously and sadly, they cannot do it alone.

Ten years have passed since Serbian hostilities were laid to rest It is

absurd and unacceptable to use the war as an excuse for abuse, neglect,

indifference and inaction. Yet, torturing, poisoning and brutally

killing dogs and cats is still occurring without punishment for the

perpetrators of these vicious animal related crimes. The " Serbian scene "

is of growing concern to civilized people everywhere. Serbian animal

welfare advocates have witnessed brutal trapping methods, the ruthless

beatings of dogs to death and poisonings, resulting in agonizing deaths.

Hunters wantonly shoot abandoned companion animals for sport.

Our sources estimate that the city of Belgrade savagely destroys about

six thousand dogs annually. The city " fathers " hire the " professional

pest " control firm EKOSAN to exterminate the unwanted animals--innocent

victims of human animal cruelty. The government claims that humane

practices are exercised yet documentation and verbal reports from animal

workers details graphic images of dogs in Belgrade's " OVCA " dog kill

shelter being viciously destroyed. So much for official Serbian

credibility

Other Serbian observers report that many of the so called humane

societies work in " close " relationship with authorities who advocate

destroying the stray animals. Witnesses have observed dogs and cats

being destroyed using brutal methods by " dog catchers " to round up the

animals. " Workers " at kill shelters lack training in humane animal care

and control and legal issues pertaining to animal rights. Witnesses have

observed dogs and cats being destroyed using brutal methods within these

same " shelters " . There are also reports of the " disappearances " of

sterilization and euthanasia equipment. Furthermore, documentation is

available showing dead dogs, skinned and heaped together -- the victims

of a mass execution. All this, in a Belgrade shelter! Is this what the

Serbian hierarchy terms humane euthanasia?

Equally as sad and reprehensible is the Belgrade zoo, one of the oldest

zoos in Europe. Housing approximately two thousand animals, the zoo has

acquired a notorious reputation due to the unacceptable treatment of the

animals in their " care " . The zoo director has close ties to the Serbian

hunting lobby as well as Belgrade's city hall. Documentation is

available from Serbian animal welfare advocates showing these animals

confined within squalid living conditions and consequently ill and

distressed. Many of these animals exhibit abnormal behavior, such as

bar biting, over-grooming, self mutilation, head bashing, circling, leg

chewing, etc. Furthermore, many animals that were born in the zoo

throughout the years have disappeared. The zoo claimed that new tigers,

bears and a hippo were born recently but the animals appear to have

vanished.

Documentation

Album: abandoned animals horror story- Serbia

<http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view.html/view/87/576833221/abandoned_a

nimals_horror_story__Serbia/>

http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view.html/view/87/576833221/abandoned_an

imals_horror_story__Serbia/

Album: Hell Zoo - Belgrade

<http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view.html/view/87/576833221/Hell_Zoo___

Belgrade___/>

http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view.html/view/87/576833221/Hell_Zoo___B

elgrade___/

The Gallery

<http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view.html/view/87/576833221/>

http://www.care2.com/c2c/photos/view.html/view/87/576833221/

Written by:

Alexandra Yurkiw

&

Marijo Anne Gillis - Founder

Welfare for Animals in Greece

Welfare for Animals Global, Inc.

(a New York non-profit advocacy & political lobby group)

Tel. (212) 427-0587 Fax (212) 427-6381

E-Mail <Twinkieperkyebby Twinkieperkyebby

" Compassion for all life - the way to a better world "

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please copy and paste the letter which follows to the list of

authorities found below ( which you can also copy and paste) and blind

copy me at <Twinkieperkyebby Twinkieperkyebby

Dear Sir:

The brutal treatment of companion, farmed and zoo animals in Serbia is

coming to the attention of the world. We are horrified to witness man's

lack of compassion, indiscriminate cruelty and the Serbian government's

indifference and inaction regarding the criminal treatment of Serbian

animals.

This negative publicity will surely reverberate throughout the world and

result in sanctions from civilized governments and concernedcitizens who

are able to travel and spend tourist dollars. Surely, the Serbian gross

national product depends in part on the influx of money from neighboring

nations.

We respectfully and urgently request that you take notice and action of

this reprehensible situation which is fast resulting inthe deterioration

of Serbian status within the global family.

Put a stop tothe brutal, vicious killing of domesticated street animals

by government officials, civil workers and ordinary citizens. Please

request the aid of international animal welfare organizations who are

adept at planning and implementing humane welfare programs. Implement a

spay / neuter program throughout the country and attempt to initiate

humane education programs in the school system. Request assistance in

the design of coherent and straightforward animal protection

legislation. Once in place, and so important, implement and enforce that

legislation and initiate prosecution and punishment for perpetrators of

animal related crimes. If need be, until Serbia is capable of tending

properly to her zoo population, extend an invitation to experts in the

proper and humane care and management of confined species.

Please enter this new millennium and posture with compassion and a

civilized stance regarding animal welfare.

..

Name and contact info.

Please send letters to:

Office of Prime Minister VOJISLAV KOSTUNICA

<predsednikvladesrbije

predsednikvladesrbije

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

<office office

Serbian Minister of Science and Environmental Protection

<info info