Suggestion for the problem of walking the dogs during curfew in Serbia

Dear Sirs,

We are witnesses to the constant changes of the curfew in Serbia. Although all the dog owners respect all the measures that are applied in respect to protection of all of us during the epidemic, we would like you to acknowledge the special situation in which all the pet owners have been since the beginning of the curfew during the state of emergency. The measures taken, do not consider the specific needs our pets have which cannot be met in the apartment, because our dogs are trained to meet their physiological needs outside. Also, even if that was possible (which is rarely the case), performing physiological needs in the apartment is extremely non-hygienic and endangers the health of dog owners and members of their families (many of them are children). Dog owners are under constant stress, because the as pet walks are always announced sporadically and subsequently. The period of 13-14 hours between walks is too long, because many people have old or sick dogs, who cannot withstand this period without performing physiological needs, and this can cause various diseases (kidneys, prostate, bladder), and even death. Since too long a period between walks affects their health, and we want them, along with all of us, to survive this difficult time, dog owners would like to propose the next solution to this problem.

We suggest that Government issue the permits for walking the dogs (for the dog owners, and the volunteers who are taking out the dogs of those who are over 65 and cannot leave their homes). Those can be issued online and then be printed and carried during a walk, which permits would be valid UNTIL THE END OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY. Another option is sending of the text messages, where every dog owner would get a permit to go out with a dog and the duration of this walk (this is already a measure in some European countries). The minimum of walks is 3 times a day with a minimum of 20 minutes, or 4 times a day (since small dogs cannot endure without a walk for more than 5 hours) in some acceptable time intervals.

When you make decisions on our pets’ needs, you need to bear in mind that THESE WALKS ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT A LUXURY, but bare necessity, and the only way for our dogs to stay healthy. The examples from other countries show that in many of them, even with the isolation measures imposed, the dog owners are allowed to take their dogs out (so, they are exempt from the ban, which is completely in accordance with the current conditions and the Law on Animal Welfare of the Republic of Serbia – Article 7, item 32). It is forbidden: 32) to neglect the animal by depriving the basic necessities of life, such as: food and water, comfortable space for shelter, i.e. shelter, space for rest and exercise of physiological needs, hygiene, veterinary care, as well as ambient conditions appropriate to the species, breed, gender and age category;)

We hope that you will consider the abovementioned and make the decision accordingly.

Best regards,

Dog owners of Serbia