The recent attacks of stray dogs in the capital but also in other municipalities against bypassers have caused concern among the citizens, who are persistently seeking action from the institutions responsible for dealing with this problem. On the other hand, despite all the actions undertaken so far, local and central level institutions have not managed to provide a sustainable solution regarding the management of stray dogs and the control of the dog population in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

As a result, recently a new wave of anger has spread through social networks, where the lack of feeling towards animals as well as their rights stands out. Of course, the situation with stray dogs is not enviable, and according to animal rights activists this is the result of a lack of understanding about the nature of dogs and the proper way to treat them, while the level of prejudice and misunderstanding is high, since these animals are only considered dangerous and disease-carrying, forgetting the fact that dogs have been close to man for many centuries.

In this situation, activists from the ranks of civil society have often offered alternatives about the proper way of handling the issue of stray dogs, undertaking various awareness campaigns with the aim of informing the public correctly about the proper way of handling them.

Even in September of last year, the Foundation for Animal Rights presented to the institutions the proposal for a national strategy for the management of the population of stray dogs, through humane, effective and sustainable measures. In this context, the Foundation for Animal Rights has highlighted a range of measures that must be taken into account in order to implement a successful and effective program of managing the population of stray dogs in Kosovo, such as:

- Identification and registration of dogs as companion animals throughout the Republic of Kosovo

-Education in schools and awareness of society

-Strict control of breeding and sale of dogs

- Subsidy of castration and sterilization of dogs with owners

-Continuous control of the reproduction of dogs on the street through the KSVL method

- Centers for Temporary Treatment (QTP) and rescue centers

-Presentation of "neighborhood guardians for stray animals"

-Resource access control

Through these measures, and other measures such as the implementation and improvement of animal protection legislation, the Foundation considers that it will be possible to reduce the number of stray dogs to a minimum, provided that there is commitment and inter-institutional coordination to push forward the processes of the measures proposed in the strategy.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of this year, a round table was held to discuss the National Strategy for the Treatment of Stray Dogs. Prime Minister Albin Kurti at this roundtable emphasized that the large presence of stray dogs is a problem for the dogs themselves and their well-being, but it has also become a problem for the safety of citizens and public health in general. He reminded that children in particular are at risk and that the violation of children's rights from attacks by stray dogs has been ascertained by the People's Advocate. "Unfortunately, in the past this issue was neglected and there was no coordination between the local and central level. We need to tackle this problem from its roots, to provide sustainable and effective solutions. We believe that the origin of the problem is the lack of management and control of dogs with owners, their uncontrolled breeding, as well as the sale and import from neighboring countries", he said. According to him, the central level will support the local level in different ways regarding the treatment of stray dogs, while adding that the AUV must also commit to not include veterinarians who have been proven to have abused animals or funds in past projects. At the same time, it has been promised that the Government will draft a National Strategy for sustainable and effective management of the dog population.

On the other hand, municipal leaders, such as the mayor of Prishtina, Përparim Rama, in recent weeks has admitted that it is a very complex problem and that several actions have been taken in this direction, such as the treatment of stray dogs through the KSVL process (Catch, Sterilize, Vaccinate, Release) as well as the opening of a number of feeding points, in order to prevent attacks on people. In addition, he requested cooperation and coordination of actions with the Government of Kosovo and other municipalities.

According to the estimates of the Foundation for the Rights of Animals in Kosovo, the source of the problem has never been treated, so there are constantly a large number of dogs on the streets. The main sources of the large number of street dogs according to the foundation are the continuous abandonment of domestic dogs (as companion animals) by people and the breeding (cultivation), sale and import of dogs in a way that is not controlled by physical and legal people (including veterinarians).

Therefore, inter-institutional and inter-sector cooperation is necessary to deal with the issue of stray dogs, taking as a basis the contribution of civil society and animal lovers, towards the application of humane and sustainable methods for the management of the issue of stray dogs and control of the population of these dogs in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo.

There are no quick and magical solutions. But with humane, thoughtful and well-structured measures, as well as with more love and understanding towards animals, a process can be initiated, which for a few years can bring good results both for the community and for the welfare of the animals.