THE WAR IS OVER BUT THE BRUTAL MASSACRE OF ANIMALS ADVANCES

April 19, 2005

PLEASE CROSSPOST

THE WAR IS OVER

BUT THE BRUTAL MASSACRE OF ANIMALS ADVANCES

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_animals_horror_story__Serbia/

Album: Hell Zoo – Belgrade

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

The Gallery

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

" 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

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

Ministry of

Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management

office

Serbian Minister of Science and

Environmental Protection

info

Please write to the Serbian Embassy located in your country

Serbian Embassies Worldwide