In response to issues with stray dog bites and subsequent compensation claims, the Municipality of Bar allocated 59,871 euros to its citizens in 2024. This figure is a substantial decrease from over 119 thousand euros spent in the previous year. The Bar administration attributes this reduction to measures implemented to curb the misuse of compensation claims.

Under the leadership of Dušan Raičević, the local government anticipates spending approximately 2022 thousand euros in compensation for incidents involving stray dogs in 2023 and 265. To address potential abuse, several measures have been announced.

According to the Municipality, these initiatives have proven effective, leading to a notable reduction in compensation payouts.

“The proactive measures taken by the Municipality of Bar in recent months are clearly aiding in addressing the stray dog issue and enhancing public safety,” they stated.

They have established modern and fully functional shelters for abandoned animals, adhering to all legal standards to provide suitable care for stray dogs. Additionally, the newly implemented Decision on Pets explicitly outlines the conditions for pet ownership and care, including penalties for negligent ownership.

“Plans are also underway to create a registry for abandoned dogs, which will be tracked through the intake of these animals, thereby improving oversight in this area,” they announced.

Recognizing the severity of the stray dog situation, the Municipality is committed to systematically addressing the challenges posed by their presence in public areas while closely monitoring the related compensation costs.

“In 2024, half the amount was spent on compensation compared to the previous year, highlighting our efficient management of this issue,” the Municipality of Bar claimed, noting that a total of 59,871.48 euros were disbursed during this period, compared to 119,181.32 euros in 2023.

The contrast is even starker when compared to 2022, when 146,353.50 euros were paid out for similar claims. According to the Municipality of Bar, these figures indicate a systematic approach to solving this problem.

A portion of the over 59 thousand euros relates to cases that originated in 2023 but were legally resolved in 2024. This significant reduction in compensation payouts for stray dog bites clearly underscores the effectiveness of the measures implemented by the Municipality.

Throughout 2024, 224 lawsuits were filed for compensation regarding non-property damage due to bites from stray dogs and cats. 75 court settlements were reached, with five lawsuits withdrawn. Ongoing proceedings remain before the Basic Court in Bar, with one case already concluded in favor of the plaintiff.

“We emphasize our commitment to thoroughly evaluating the legitimacy of compensation claims, particularly in light of potential abuses. The results of these evaluations have validated the introduction of stricter criteria for assessing claims, which has clearly contributed to a significant decrease in both the number of claims and associated costs,” stated local administration officials.

They pledge to continue enforcing these measures, while also considering new initiatives to ensure a long-term solution to the issue and to protect citizens, all within the framework of animal welfare in the city under Rumija.

Throughout 2024, 224 lawsuits were filed for compensation regarding non-property damage due to bites from stray dogs and cats. 75 court settlements were reached, with five lawsuits withdrawn. Ongoing proceedings remain before the Basic Court in Bar, with one case already concluded in favor of the plaintiff.

News