The organization "Belgrade on the Move" strongly criticizes the city administration and relevant institutions for neglecting the promise to introduce an ambulance and animal police for many years.
The organization says that since 2011, citizens have been left without adequate protection and support for abandoned and injured animals. That's when an initiative was launched to introduce a special police force that would prevent violence against animals.
In their announcement, they state that the lack of these services often manifests itself in tragic consequences, and in order to change that, it is necessary for the City of Belgrade to react.
The organization requests the city authorities, the Ministry of the Interior and veterinary institutions to immediately form specialized teams for the protection of animals.
Failed attempts and budget rebalancing
There was an attempt to change something. According to Nikola Radin, Executive Director of Belgrade in the Movement, the Animal Emergency Service exists in Mali Mokro Lug, but its capacity is not sufficient.
"This emergency service cannot cover the entire territory of Belgrade, and it has limited working hours. On weekdays it is from 8 am to 20 pm, and on weekends until 16 pm, which is not enough. "A service like this, especially in extreme temperatures like now, has to work throughout the day," says Radin.
As for the police, their primary task would be to prevent violence against animals, but also to sanction the perpetrators when violence occurs.
"Communal and regular police cannot even assess how to react in such situations, nor do they have the right to take away an injured animal from violent owners," explains Radin.
When asked by Vremen how relevant is the introduction of Emergency Aid for animals in conditions when the Emergency Aid intended for citizens is exposed to constant criticism due to major omissions, Radin answered:
"It is necessary for the City to react." The budget must support this idea. That's why we ask that Belgrade increase the funds of the ambulance and the police in the September budget review. The cost of special training of workers of these services abroad should also be taken into account, because there are no centers for this kind of education in our country", concludes Radin.
