communicating vs activities on stray dogs to the general...
TRANSCRIPT
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 – 17-19 June 2014
Branka Buković Šošić, Head of Animal protection department 1
Some general data
There are in Croatia:
4, 267 millions of inhabitans, according to the census from 2012
428 municipalities
335 528 registered dogs, according to the Lysacan data base for 2013
24 registered shelters
2
3
MINSTRY OF AGRICULTURE
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
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
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
Act is published!
Actions finished?
NO – then we started with the serious job.
7
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
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
http://www.veterinarstvo.hr/default.aspx?id=9
10
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 from 2000 until today many
traininings and supports National NGOs Business operators, municipality staff
TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) programme of EU
11
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: http://www.veterinarstvo.hr/default.aspx?id=169
12
Informational materials
Stray dog population control programme (under
reconstruction): http://www.veterinarstvo.hr/UserDocsImages//dobrobitZivotinja/Program%20kontrole%20populacije%20pasa%20lutalica%20u%20Republici%20Hrvatskoj,%202010..pdf
- Summarise measures we developed for smooth functioning of this area
- leaflets
13
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
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 self-government 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
City Zagreb on line http://www.zagreb.hr/default.aspx?id=4970
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
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
http://www.azilzagreb.com/
education
Calming signals
18
Capacity – 180 dogs
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
http://www.suza.hr/
20
www.mps.hr
SUZA information centre – Animal Protection Association of the City of Zagreb (Savez udruga za zaštitu životinja Grada Zagreba)
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
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
CENTRAL PET REGISTER Lysacan:
http://vcp.mps.hr/lysacan/f?p=lysacan:prijava:1073907036199201:::::
23
PET MOVEMENTS http://www.veterinarstvo.hr/default.aspx?id=1185
24
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
http://www.veterinarstvo.hr/UserDocsImages//dobrobitZivotinja/LETAK%20SKRB%20ZA%20PSE.pdf
26
Promotion of responsible ownership
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
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
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
Network
• Regional Animal Welfare Centre - “RAWC’ • The structure of the RAWC - 1st 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
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
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
Thank you for your attention!
33