A better life for the street dogs of Bosnia?

Compassion and support are what’s needed to help Bosnia’s people and its dogs, argues Stephen Jenkinson.

At face value, Bosnia’s dogs should have a bright future. Its 2009 animal welfare legislation makes UK laws look decidedly inept. Shock collars — banned; de-barking — banned; euthanasia of healthy dogs — banned. Bosnia has great aspirations.

But in practice, that ‘no kill’ law means Bosnia’s street dogs increasingly face a confined life sentence in a shelter, or a clandestine death that is at best unlawful, and at worst prolonged and immensely cruel. Unlike in the UK, there’s no culture of adopting dogs from shelters in Bosnia; if you want a puppy, you can readily pick one up on the street or from a neighbour. I recently visited Bosnia for a two-day workshop discussing how local communities could help the stray dog problem.

An unknown future

Some street dogs have a good life — certainly more fulfilled and happy than many bored and ignored family pets in the UK. Some are part of the community and often very well socialised and fed. Many are family pets who are allowed to roam during the day, or at night, as the owners see fit.