Local Governments Face Deadline to Address Stray Livestock Crisis

The Government of Montenegro has mandated that all local authorities must establish shelters for stray livestock within 90 days or enter into agreements with other municipalities or legal entities to manage these animals. This decision aims to address the urgent issue of uncontrolled livestock, particularly in areas like Tivat, where the situation has been described as alarming due to the presence of ownerless animals.

According to information from the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, the actions required align with the Veterinary Law, Livestock Law, and local municipal regulations regarding public order. The problem of stray livestock, which includes cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs, is prevalent in municipalities such as Podgorica, Cetinje, Budva, Tivat, Herceg Novi, Ulcinj, Bijelo Polje, and Berane. Many of these animals have been abandoned by their owners, posing health risks to the public and threatening road safety.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, along with the Veterinary Inspection, has previously attempted to alert local governments about their obligations under the Animal Welfare Law. Despite numerous communications and reminders of the national and local regulations in Montenegro, only the municipality of Ulcinj has successfully established a shelter for these animals.

Local governments are not solely responsible for this issue; the conclusions from the recent government meeting outline additional responsibilities for the Ministry of Agriculture and the Veterinary Inspection. These bodies are tasked with monitoring compliance, ensuring local authorities provide shelters for abandoned and lost animals, and imposing sanctions if they fail to do so.

After local authorities notify the Ministry about their shelters, a commission must be appointed within seven days to evaluate the conditions on-site. Furthermore, if animals are captured, the veterinary inspector must promptly verify compliance with animal welfare laws and arrange for health assessments and sampling within a seven-day timeframe.

Owners of the captured animals are required to retrieve them from the shelter within three days of notification and cover the costs of capture, transport, and accommodation. The police and municipal authorities will assist in capturing animals that pose a threat to public order and road safety, working in collaboration with the veterinary inspection.

The government has also tasked the Directorate for State Property with facilitating the transfer of land and facilities for shelter use, ensuring that property and legal matters are resolved without delay.

In previous years, animals captured in the municipalities of Tivat and Budva were housed at an agricultural estate managed by the Directorate for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions. However, due to unpaid obligations from Budva, this site can no longer accommodate newly captured animals. Notably, Tivat has fulfilled its financial responsibilities, but the growth of stray livestock in natural conditions continues to present challenges.

In 2023, Budva purchased a specialized vehicle for the transport of livestock, which could potentially be loaned to other municipalities under certain conditions and financial compensation. The situation underscores the pressing need for local governments to act decisively in addressing the issue of stray livestock for the safety of their communities.