Communicating VS activities on stray dogs to the general public Croatia national experience

Transcription

1 First OIE regional Workshop on (national strategy) Stray Dog population management for Balkan countries Communicating VS activities on stray dogs to the general public Croatia national experience Bucharest / Romania June 2014 Branka Buković Šošić, Head of Animal protection department 1

2 Some general data There are in Croatia: 4, 267 millions of inhabitans, according to the census from municipalities registered dogs, according to the Lysacan data base for registered shelters 2

3 MINSTRY OF AGRICULTURE 3

4 Purpose of communication Communication is very important part of : - development and - implementation of legislation. Public: is very sensitive on animal suffering does not know too much about animal needs equate their needs with animal needs 4

5 Purpose of communication The role of the government on the central and regional level, and at municipality level is to: provide accurate information to the public ensure further communication with the public take public suggestions into consideration as much as it is possible provide assistance in the process of implementation of legislation Veterinary faculty: Development of animal welfare topics for veterinarians 5

6 When we started? In 2004 we started with Ordinance on the requirements to be met by shelters, OG, 110/04, 121/04, 29/05, in 2004 and 2005 with Animal protection Act, OG 135/06 and 37/13 and we continue during development of all legislation prepared by CA: organised commission for drafting legislation invited all interested parties to be members of the commisson (NGO, representatives of shelters/breeders/petshos, experts, scientists and other organisations-ckc, municipality level) discussed the draft of the legislation on meetings (approxim. 6-8 meetings) upon the agreement of all involved draft was/is sent to the further procedure. 6

7 Act is published! Actions finished? NO then we started with the serious job. 7

8 Relevant legislation Animal Protection Act, OG 136/05 and 37/13 Animal shelters, infocentres Breedings of pets intended for sell Petshops Dangerous dogs Control of reproduction of pets Prohibiton of selling dogs nad cats in petshops/to under-age persons Obligations of local/regional municipalities Increasing of public awarenese Decision on the manner of keeping companion animals and the manner of handling lost and abandoned animals at municipality level The competent authority and local and regional government have an obligation to raise the awareness of the public, in particular of young people, about the protection of animals. Veterinary Act, OG 82/13 and 148/13 Identification and registration of animals, keeping data register Movement of animals (national/international) Control of environment (abbators, collecting centres and incineration plant) 8

9 Good communication Good communications depends on proper skills and knowledge: Trainings/education Communication to municipalities: Round table Questionairs for municipalities Guides, brochures, leaflets Mass media (TV, radio, news paper, internet) Presentation to the public at differenet events (World Animal Day) Work with Veterinary faculty - students Animal Protection Commission, Committee for protection of pets Network (RAWC Regional Animal Welfare Center) 9

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11 Trainings/education Trainings/education provided through presentations/field work: Ministry resources, used for: Veterinary inspectors and police, judges National NGOs Business operators (breeders, petshops, shelters, transporters, veterinary organisations, municipality staff) NGO resources, provided by RSPCA: Veterinary inspectors, police National NGOs Business operators, municipality staff from 2000 until today many traininings and supports TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) programme of EU 11

12 Round table Care for abandoned and lost animals Where: Ministry of Agriculture When: 2011 Topics: Care for animals as it is required by Animal Protection Act Stray dog population control programme The role of NGOs care for abandoned animals The responsibility of local municipalities Link: 12

13 Informational materials Stray dog population control programme (under reconstruction): 0kontrole%20populacije%20pasa%20lutalica%20u%20Republici%20Hrvatskoj, % pdf - Summarise measures we developed for smooth functioning of this area - leaflets 13

14 Communication with local communities In 2011: Questionaire from central level the needs for establishment of shelters at municipality level (local or reginal level) existing situation and plans 64 local municipalities answered see the cake - 4 of them also support castration Conclusion: there is awarenes on the requirements of legislation and obligations at local government level 14

15 Legislation requirements Requirements of legislation Animal Protection Act If animal shelter is not established, its establishment and operation shall be financed by one or more units of local or regional selfgovernment in accordance with their needs, or the City of Zagreb. The activities of collecting abandoned and lost animals shall be financed by units of local self-government. National Service for Protection and Rescue, 112 in 2012 established action plan on collecting live animals recognise the responsibility of municipalities - abandoned dogs in cities, on local roads and highway - Private veterinarians involved to take care of animals 15

16 City Zagreb on line Animal protection Act By competent municipality or city authorities shall be prescribed: - manner of keeping companion animals - manner of controlling their reproduction - requirements for and the manner of keeping tethered dog - manner of handling lost and abandoned animals At municipality level Decision on the manner of keeping companion animals and the manner of handling lost and abandoned animals, OG 21/2008 and 6/2012) 16

17 Responsibilities of local government Strategy for management stray dog population Question of safety the lives and property Question of public health Maintenance of the communal standards of the City. Question of implementation of existing legislation At the City it is recognised that implementation of all measures ensuers preservation of financial assets - citizens, legal persons and budgetary funds (state budget and budgets at local and regional level) 17

18 Calming signals education Capacity 180 dogs 18

19 Info center Animal shelter must organise an information centre for lost and abandoned animals and must make information on the animals available to the public, other animal shelters in the territory of the Republic of Croatia and the competent authority 19

20 SUZA information centre Animal Protection Association of the City of Zagreb (Savez udruga za zaštitu životinja Grada Zagreba) 20

21 Promotion of responsible ownership Mandatory veterinary preventive measures (vaccination, deworming) Mandatory identification and registration of all dogs, and cats/ferrets when travelling Issuing of Pet passport Establishment of national Pet register Promotion of reproduction control Certification of breeders and dealers/retailers, shelters, dangerous dogs 21

22 Identification by microchip and registration Veterinary Act, OG 82/13 and 148/13 Why? For a tighter control on trade To prevent the abandoning of dogs To return lost dogs quicker to their home To register dangerous dogs When? Since 11 July 2011 Obligatory for all dogs - no later than 90 days from the day of whelping In any case at the time at vaccination against rabies For cats/ferrets before travelling through EU and to third countries How? Veterinarian: microchip paperwork to central database Pet register - registration of dog and owner Pet passport 22

23 CENTRAL PET REGISTER Lysacan: 23

24 PET MOVEMENTS 24

25 Movements of dangerous dogs Animal Protection Law (Official Gazette 135/06; 37/13) Ordinance on the Dangerous Dogs (Official Gazette no. 117/08). The transit, entry and temporary stay on the Croatian territory is forbidden for all the bull-type terriers not registered in accordance with the FCI rules (pit bull terrier) and also for all their hybrids (cross bred) types. Since the controlled origin is evidenced by the pedigree, all bull terrier-type dogs: Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier which do not possess a pedigree issued by the Kennel Club of one of the member countries of the International Canine Organizations (FCI) are considered to be pit bull terriers and dangerous dogs. 25

26 /LETAK%20SKRB%20ZA%20PSE.pdf Promotion of responsible ownership 26

27 Animal Protection Commission Animal Protection Act The membership of the Commission shall include representatives of: 1. the state administration body responsible for science and education, 2. the state administration body responsible for environmental protection issues, 3. the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 4. the Medical School, 5. the Faculty of Agriculture, 6. the Croatian Veterinary Chamber 7. the Croatian Chamber of Economy 8. the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts 9. animal protection associations Consisting of 2 committiees: 1. C. for farm animals 2. C. for protection of pets and other animals, except farm and experimental animals 27

28 The role of the Commission The Commission shall: 1. issue opinions on proposals for legislation in the field of animal protection 2. encourage the adoption or amendment of legislation in the field of animal protection 3. have a duty to keep abreast of scientific and technical developments in the field of animal protection in the Republic of Croatia and the European Union and to make proposals for the improvement of animal protection in the Republic of Croatia 4. prepare an annual report on its work and forward to the Minister, by the end of March of the current year, the report for the preceding year 5. at the request of competent state administration bodies, provide opinions on matters relating to animal protection. 28

29 Licensing system for pet shops, dog and cat breeders, shelters, hotels Standards for the enclosures Standards for medical care / contract with a vet Record keeping Minimum number of staff Depending on the size and nature of the establishment (a separate room for veterinary checks, for isolation, for quarantine) Register kept by CA 29

30 Network Regional Animal Welfare Centre - RAWC The structure of the RAWC - 1 st steering meeting held in Zagreb on 30 March to 1 April 2014 The group is steered by the steering committee Croatian Veterinary Institute will provide the administrative support and the Secretariat for the period of two years Main supporter - RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) 7 regional countries Slovenia, B&H, Albania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia Exchange of expertise, experience Dealing with stray dog population 30

31 Recommendation for future Education is one of the key elements for improving animal welfare. Research is also an important policy ingredient for the future strategy for animal welfare and needs long-term support - the role of RAWC network would combine education and research in the field of animal welfare, making scientific information more easily available at a national level and providing a framework for good training and education 31

32 How to enable the improvements of the legislation Ammendments of APA: 1. Better communication with municipalities 2. Animal protection committee - members from municipalities 3. Commission at municipaliti level to deal with dog population management 4. To municipality can not be issued panishment under veterinary legislation find solution responsible person?! 5. Ensure the continuity of the communication 32

33 Thank you for your attention! 33