Prishtinë, 3 November 2020 – The Ombudsperson, within the framework of exercising his powers and legal responsibilities, published Ex-Officio Recommendation Report with no. 517/2019, regarding the danger posed to citizens by stray dogs.

The purpose of this Report is to draw attention of state institutions as per treatment and taking appropriate measures regarding the risk of stray dogs towards citizens, with particular emphases on children, in terms of protection of their lives and safety, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, with laws and other international instruments.

Upon reviewing the relevant legislation, international instruments, case documents as well as data that the Ombudsperson Institution owns, it resulted that in the given case, there have been violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, actually of children’s rights as the relevant institutions have not met constitutional and legal obligations as well as international standards applicable in the Republic of Kosovo, in taking all necessary measures for protection of citizens from the danger posed by stray dogs.

The Ombudsperson observes that despite the efforts of some municipalities to address the issue of treating stray dogs, the situation has not changed much in the absence of a national plan and inter-municipal and inter-institutional coordination that would address this issue. The Ombudsperson estimates that the lack of shelter for stray dogs is a serious problem in the country level and that the municipalities do not have a center for temporary treatment of animals and have not provided a special place for safe disposal of animal dead bodies, according to Administrative Instruction No. 04 / 2017.

The report provides specific and concrete recommendations regarding actions to be taken by the relevant state institutions regarding the issue.