Project „Developing a system of dog population control in Serbia“

Abandoned dogs represent one of the most abundant and important problems that local communities face throughout Serbia. A range of health, safety, economical and ecological problems are related to abandoned dogs, in both urban and rural environments. Their existence is the result of low public awareness about principles of responsible ownership and inefficiency of national and local institutions in establishing humane and systematic solutions to this problem.

There is a clear need for support of the national and local authorities to establish the system of dog population management in Serbia. Project „Developing a system of dog population control in Serbia“ aims to ensure all relevant information is gathered in Serbia for the development of the comprehensive and strategic long-term plan for the dog population management in Serbia.

Main project activities:

  • Comprehensive research on the state of dog population management on national and local level in Serbia:
    • policies, legislation and practices at national and local municipality level;
    • compensations paid by municipalities in relation to dog bites;
    • media content and manner of reporting about stray dogs and dog population management;
    • impact of dogs on public health;
    • animal abuse and public safety.
  • Indentifying, informing and engaging stakeholders at national and local level;
  • Developing a road map for establishing the system of dog population management in Serbia.

Collected information will serve as basis for creation of the much needed National Strategy for dog population management in Serbia aimed to guide and support municipalities in their efforts to solve long-term problems with ineffective dog population management.

Project „Developing a system of dog population control in Serbia“ was conducted in 2016 and supported by World Animal Protection.