There is an endless supply of puppies in Saranda — and endless abuse from unscrupulous adults who exploit these puppies and their own children to make money.

On July 10, Saranda Dog Services (SDS) rescued two puppies on the city’s promenade. As usual, young children were using the pups to bait tourists to give them cash.

The parents/adult caretakers and SDS argued loudly. Several local police arrived and did nothing.

SDS then took the helpless puppies to the mayor’s office — shouting for him to come out and address the situation. Saranda’s Director of Agriculture and Municipal Police finally emerged. He assured SDS the city will no longer tolerate abusers on the boulevard using puppies as tourist bait.

These two puppies are in a safe place: bathed, dewormed, treated for fleas and ticks. 

But the supply of puppies is endless. And we demand that Bashkia deliver on its promise to end this terrible, inhumane situation.