Recently, a dog belonging to a local resident and several stray dogs were poisoned at three different sites in Ulcinj. Notably, some of these dogs had already been sterilized and returned to their habitats, marked with ear tags indicating their treatment.

Volunteer Anđela Poček confirmed that the owner’s dog was poisoned near the “Otrant” hotel along Velika Plaza.

“The dog was rushed to the vet, but sadly, he couldn’t be saved. He passed away two days later,” Poček recounted.

She mentioned that the owner claimed multiple dogs had been poisoned at that location, but volunteers and animal protection activists found no evidence to support this.

“I suspect they may have removed the bodies before we arrived, as this is not the first incident of dog poisoning in Velika Plaza,” she said.

In addition, a dead dog was reported in Bijela Gora, and suspicions of poisoning have been raised in that case as well.

“The third incident occurred at the main bus station where an entire group of dogs was poisoned, including three that had ear tags indicating their harmless status and participation in a sterilization program funded by foreign organizations, with our volunteers assisting in its execution,” she elaborated.

She expressed frustration over the lack of collaboration with those responsible for addressing the stray dog issue in Ulcinj.

“They don’t appreciate our work, despite the fact that we are effectively doing their job. The city shelter is supposed to implement the ‘Catch-Neuter-Release’ program,” she asserted.

Mirsad Sabovic, the Deputy Director of the Public Utility Company, who has assumed oversight of the shelter, stated he was unaware of the dog poisoning incidents.

“Aside from what I read on social media, we haven’t received any reports,” he told “Vijesti”.

Another resident who spoke to “Vijesti” mentioned that she occasionally feeds stray dogs at the bus station, as she lives nearby.

“A few days ago, I spotted my favorite dog lying there. He was gentle and loved to play with mine. I thought he was just resting, but as I approached to pet him, I was horrified to find he was dead, foaming at the mouth,” she lamented, questioning who could harm such peaceful dogs.

Poček noted that the issue of stray animals in Ulcinj is highly complex and has been persistent for years.

“As an animal lover and long-time activist, I am appalled at how homeless animals are treated in our city. Education is urgently needed. It saddens me to say this, but for a coastal municipality dependent on tourism, our perspectives are disappointingly limited. The stray dog problem endures because the shelter is ineffective. Contrary to popular belief, a shelter isn’t simply a place for dogs to be abandoned; it should serve as a temporary stop for health treatments, vaccinations, sterilizations, and opportunities for adoption or return to their original locations,” she explained.

She emphasized that a functional shelter, sterilization efforts, elimination of illegal kennels, and penalties for irresponsible owners are essential for achieving a gradual and lasting solution to the problem of stray dogs.

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