Help dogs in Albania!

Note: picture and video from Animal Rights in Albania, Now.

Stray dogs in Tirana and everywhere in Albania are under constant life threat. Recently trucks of an unidentified 'Task Force' started to collect and transport dogs without disclosing the destination or the reason for doing so. In various parts of Tirana people have heard gun shots and dogs barking but it is not known where or how the dogs are being disposed of. Animal lovers were hoping that this was a resumption of the vaccination and sterilization project that was carried out by the Municipality a few years ago. This was until an animal rights activist saw and video-recorded a dying dog in Tirana's park.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150393684352454

It is clear from the video that the dog was poisoned and it was found in an area where the Task Force was operating. No official announcement is released from the Municipality of Tirana and numerous inquiries of concerned citizens and animal rights activists remain unanswered. A peaceful protest was organized by Animal Rights in Albania (ARA NOW) at Tirana's city center in front of the City Hall on November 23rd. Nothing has changed while dogs continue to disappear from the streets of Tirana, and there is some evidence that the same operation is taking place in other cities and towns in Albania.

Albania has a very poor record of animal rights and welfare and there is little hope that things will improve dramatically any time soon. The supporters of the current mayor of Tirana, on his first day in office, sacrificed a ram right in front of the City Hall and pictures of the gruesome scene were published in every newspaper in the country. Although religious sacrifice is still practiced in Albania, this was the first time it was done in public view and in a strongly political context. Maybe this single example can give you an idea of where the country stands as far as animal rights and compassion for animals are concerned. Dog-fighting and all sorts of animal abuse are also a big issue but we need to start somewhere, so please help us save the lives of the helpless stray dogs.

We hope that valuable support from the international community will help us increase the awareness and convince Albanian authorities to take adequate measures to deal with stray animals and to improve the general situation of animals in Albania.

Please join us in urging the Albanian Government, the Prime Minister and  Tirana's Mayor to adopt legal and practical measures to: (please read petition)