Recently, Latvia was shaken by the shooting of dogs near Bauska. The animals were killed by a hunter. But why was this dramatic situation possible?
When a Person with a Gun is Called
Former Minister of Defense, Olympic strongman Raimonds Bergmanis, heading the Saeima Commission on Defense, Internal Affairs, and Corruption Prevention, has led the movement towards a unified algorithm for dealing with stray dogs. "Maybe a final solution regarding the animal is needed so that it does not suffer?" the deputy posed a heavy, rhetorical question.
Moreover, it is necessary to figure out how to deal with pets in the event of a large-scale crisis, like in Ukraine.
– And if we need to seize 3000 animals, for example, cows, as part of a criminal process – do we have a place to keep them? – the politician pondered. – We need to place everything on the shoulders of hunters… Many hunters simply refuse.
Meanwhile, in some countries, there is a "beast police" that can be contacted 24/7.
A Difficult Topic
Arturs Surmovichs, vice-chairman of the Latvian Hunters' Union, started by stating that dealing with problematic animals is a heavy topic.
– We would like to tell all our members – stay away from this topic. But why do they call hunters? Because they solve these problems, albeit bitterly, but one of my friends in a neighboring village had a couple of stray dogs. And he has two little daughters. What, should we issue fines?
"What happens to children when care is not provided – they are taken away from the family. The same could be done with animals, but can we allow that?" said the hunter-activist.
Mr. Surmovichs proposed developing a legislative solution so that hunters would not be burdened with emotionally heavy decisions. Although a person with a gun is always ready to help – in searching for the missing, extinguishing forest fires, he would not want to become the last resort…
Linda Dombrovska – head of the hunters' association, recounted that a couple of dogs once came to her home, and she spent an entire day searching for the owner. The municipal police quickly checked them by chip, but no one answered the phone, and in the end, Linda herself took the dogs ten kilometers away.
In general, hunters often rescue wild animals – particularly those that fall into drainage ditches.
Shelters for Pets and Timid Policemen
Syndia Liepina, head of the Sofi charitable foundation, represents the interests of dog and cat owners: "We see what the situation is like in Latvia. Not all municipalities have shelters. We helped with the sterilization of stray kittens."
– We do not torture animals, we help in crisis situations, – commented R. Bergmanis.
It is good that the Ķepu-ķepā shelter is located in nature – a true animal world in the Salgale parish of the Ozolnieki region, where your author has been, walking with a four-legged refugee. The similar society Ķepu sargi, represented by its leader Karina Wilson, emphasized that the municipal police have no even minimal understanding:
– They are sometimes afraid to approach a dog to read the chip.
A significant problem also arises from deer hit by cars. Sometimes the animal is still alive – then Ķepu sargi call a veterinarian to humanely euthanize it. But veterinarians are also afraid to approach, and then hunters… cut the throat, since this happens near residential areas, and shooting is undesirable.
The Fate of Ferrets in Latvia
Sesku miles – a society specializing in ferrets. A few years ago, this was quite an exotic hobby, but now, according to activist Sarmite Luste, it is impossible to cope with the influx of animals coming from both those who breed them at home and from importers, for example, from Poland and Hungary. Those who buy cute rodents through popular ad platforms may not even think – is the animal vaccinated?
The Food and Veterinary Service, S. Luste noted, is unable to respond adequately – correspondence takes up a lot of folders, and only formal replies come.
– We receive sick animals. We sterilize them, treat them, and then look for owners. There are no shelters for ferrets in Latvia.
Astrida Karklina heads the Jugla Society for the Protection of Animals Labās mājas. Currently, work is underway under a contract with the municipalities of Riga and Jūrmala. She believes that the municipal police should more broadly apply the rights granted to them for the seizure of animals. Although the algorithm, of course, needs to be refined – after all, there are regulations. – The society is waiting for major decisions so that the punishments are adequate, – said Ms. Karklina, suggesting that criminal penalties for offenses against animals should be applied more frequently.
Starting with Puppies and Ending with Old Ladies
An addition to the topic was made by the Animal Rights Association B. & T. – almost always, when violence is used against our smaller brothers, it subsequently spreads to people. Here is a teenager from Jūrmala who cut off a puppy's paw (which was sheltered by the association) – and now he is serving a sentence for killing an old lady…
– Dogs are shot. And ugly things happen in shelters that need to be accounted for. An animal is still a living being, not property.
And just recently, a bear – a specially protected animal in Latvia – was killed in the Ogre region…
Danuta Priede, from the Animal Rescue Service, on the contrary, believes that municipalities are quite positive about protecting the rights of four-legged animals, but sometimes the excessive emotionality of animal rights activists, manifested, in particular, on social networks, spoils the matter.
– Endless complaints – so many municipalities have to respond! There are too few veterinary professionals in this movement.
The primary solution, D. Priede believes, is to impose fines on the owners of stray dogs. In emergency situations – for example, floods, public activists are always ready to help.
In general, compared to Western Europe, the number of pets in Latvia is not that large. Although in Riga, for example, there are 58,000 dogs. If 10 euros in taxes were duly collected from each dog per year, funds could be found for the care of the homeless…
If War Breaks Out Tomorrow
Solvita Viba, also a practicing animal defender, pointed out the need for a systematic approach to ensuring their survival in the event of a natural disaster or armed conflict. Only on the basis of such a plan can the accreditation of animal shelters – and farms that house hundreds of livestock – be conducted. "God forbid, of course…"
Ms. Viba noted that animals from "third countries" – rabid ones – sometimes enter our country! People who take them in risk the lives of their entire families.
– If we are flooded with waves of refugees, what will we do with their animals? – R. Bergmanis expressed. Referring, by the way, to Russia and Belarus…
Your author recalls a recent interaction with a puppy that was delivered from Ukraine. Although it had all the necessary certificates, upon ordering and prepayment, the puppy was delivered in a very weakened state. Fortunately, my relatives nursed it back to health, and now it is growing and bringing joy to the family. And it does not roam outside the yard. After all, first and foremost – we are responsible for those we have tamed.
Nikita KRASNOGLOZOV.
