TIRANA, April 4 – The Municipality of Tirana has begun the sterilization and vaccination of street dogs in an attempt to prevent the spread of sanitation-related problems as well as control their population.
A total of 320 dogs have been captured and sterilized since a veterinary clinic set up for this purpose by the city hall became operational about two months ago.
The animals are taken from the street and brought to the clinic for treatment, which usually lasts for five days. The dogs are afterwards released at the same place they were captured.
The sterilization and vaccination of dogs is seen as a more humane way of controlling their population compared to killing them.
Culling has been applied as a method for keeping street dog populations under control in the past, but the practice has been vehemently opposed by animal rights activists and authorities have promised that the practice will not take place again.
“Many people who know little about street animals think they are dangerous, while in most cases the animals are simply scared. We believe that a city like Tirana has a place for all, people and animals alike,” Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj said during a visit to the clinic.
The mayor also called for adoption of street dogs as a way not only to help the animals, but also contributing to a better city.
“The veterinary clinic is open for families who want to adopt a street dog,” Veliaj added.
Stray dogs are a frequent sight on the streets of the Albanian capital often seen chasing pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, while incidents involving street animals have often occurred especially in certain areas of the capital with a higher concentration of street dogs.
However, street animals aren’t the only ones representing a public safety issue in the streets of the Albanian capital. Pet dogs of particular breeds have also been responsible for biting incidents in public spaces because of irresponsible owners who choose to walk them without muzzle masks. After such episodes, the municipality has banned the circulation of pet dogs in Tirana’s main park without wearing muzzles.
