Bring justice to the criminals which tortured the dog of the mayor of Čakovec

Petition to bring justice to the criminals which tortured the dog of the major of Čakovec.  The old French bulldog of the Mayor Kovac of Čakovec was kidnapped by romani individuals who tortured him and traumatized it and demanded a high ransom was to be paid in exchange to returning him, the Romani community only offered information for money and when they realized it was the major and his children worried about the dog they demanded more money. Similar acts have been occurring in the region and have not been investigated for fear of repercussions from the criminal element of the Roma community. This is just the top of the iceberg and shows how much ordinary citizens and innocent animals have been subject of abuse without any legal action taking place. Please help us bring justice to the dog of the major and make an example of the perpetrators to prove that no group is privileged to torture and abuse animals anywhere in Central and Eastern Europe. Animal cruelty is often a gateway to larger crimes and torture to animals is one of the first signs that appear on rapists and murderers. Nor prosecuting these crimes will only lead to escalation. Currently people fear to speak because they fear nothing will happen and they will just become targets of more violence. We should put an example to all people that animal abuse and torture are not acceptable behaviors and will not be tolerated in the European Union. 

To the kind attention of the President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic and The Ministry of Agriculture of the European Union (since there is no authority of the EU) for animal welfare.

Roma minority kidnapped Mayor's dog

The problem with roma minority in Međmurje lasts for a long time. Most of stealings beatings and similar crimes done by roma minority is left unpunished. The reason for that is either silence by the victims in fear of revenge or being called "racist".

Last thursday, mayor of Čakovec has felt that on his own skin.

In thursday night their favourite "family member" has gone missing, it was one year old french bulldog.

"Like every night, children were looking for the dog, but he has not shown up. He just went missing. We tought that he must have gone out of the yard and we searched all over the neighbourhood", said mayor Kovač for portal eMeđimurje. "My kids really love that dog,so the other morning I went and gave notice to the radio stations for dog gone missing", continued Kovač.

His neighbour told him that there are criminals operating around the neighborhood so it is possible they took it. As Kovač checked, he realised the dog has really been stolen and it was located in roma village near Pribislavec. Roma people living there even offered him informations on in which house the dog is located,but only for money. Moreover, when they realised whos dog it is they even raised price of information.

Kovač: "If they treat me like that I can only imagine how they treat other people".

Kovač reported everything to police, because as he said, he will not be blackmailed and the way they offered him to buy information has made him realise how it is common thing.

"If they treat me as public person like that, I can only think of how bad they treat other people in that situation", said Kovač.

On the end, dog was found in Mala Subotica, where,as people living there said, thiefs have took dog when they realised who it has been stolen to. The dog was in really bad condition and had visible injuries as a result of abusing. Animal was taken to the vet immediately.

"It is importaint that dog is with us and the kids are happy. After this happening, I've realised how we can actually do nothing in this situation and that only good will of the thief will bring dog back home", said Kovač and resumed:

"That is the main reason of my statement, because what happened to me today is happening to our citizens every day. This is call for all services that we must put an end to the criminal. Not only the dog was stolen to me, but because citizens that happen to be in this situations keep silent or their word is not heard. And we must put an end to that" said mayor of Čakovec.

It has been found by criminal investigation that in tuesday 9th of September from 19.30 to 20.30, in Ulica Slavka Kolara in čakovec, unknown wrongdoer has stolen dog worth several thousand kunas from family yard. In wendsday 10th of September, the dog was taken from 20 years old in Pribislavec and returned to the owner.