Street Dogs in Kosovo: A Symbol of Peace and Harmony

By Anne Li Verheijen

 

Hello everyone! On our recent trip to Kosovo, we experienced something unplanned yet uniquely intriguing - the street dogs of Kosovo. This band of lovable creatures left an indelible impression on us, following us wherever we went.

 

What truly caught our attention was their well-being - these dogs were far from the stereotypical, malnourished strays you might imagine. Instead, they appeared healthy, happy, and most surprisingly, were marked with chips in their ears.

 

Our interpreter, Enver, explained that the Kosovo government, with commendable foresight, has an Action Plan that addresses the street dog population. They employ a comprehensive strategy that includes training, control of stray dog populations, registration of dogs and their owners, and licensing of breeders and private dog shelters.

 

This strategy, appropriately named 'Managing and Controlling Stray Dogs,' was launched in 2018 using the CSVL (Capture, Sterilization, Vaccination, and Release) methods. The idea is to maintain the street dog population in a way that ensures they do not reproduce unchecked, reducing their numbers to manageable levels. The initial project was successfully concluded in December 2018.

Now, you might be wondering, beyond the cute faces and wagging tails, how do these street dogs contribute to peacebuilding?

 

To unravel that, let's take a quick detour to understand the recent history of Kosovo. A place deeply scarred by violent conflict, Kosovo has been striving for peace and normalcy for the past few years. The local government's successful management of street dogs is symbolic of this pursuit of order, balance, and harmony.

 

These dogs have unwittingly become a beacon of the healing process in Kosovo, and in that way, they contribute significantly to peacebuilding. They embody the sense of structure, care, and communal responsibility that the government is working hard to instill in a society that's been rocked by conflict.

Moreover, taking care of these animals promotes a sense of compassion and empathy within individuals, essential qualities for reconciliation and healing. When citizens see their government caring for the least privileged, they gain confidence in its ability to care for them, fostering trust, and reinforcing social cohesion.

 

Finally, let's zoom out from Kosovo and look at the global human condition. How does this link to inner peace? By observing and participating in the care of these street dogs, we practice empathy and compassion, essential elements for cultivating inner peace. It’s a small step towards building a peaceful society, starting from within ourselves.

 

The street dogs of Kosovo are more than just animals; they are a living testament to the power of love, compassion, and collective responsibility in rebuilding a society and fostering peace within oneself.

 

As our conversation with Elizabeth Gowing unfolded, we learned of the harrowing reality that these street dogs, symbols of peace, are sometimes deliberately targeted. In the tense Northern region of Kosovo, there have been instances of individuals placing poison in sausages to harm the dogs.

This heinous act is not just an attack on innocent creatures; it is an attack on the symbolism they represent, an attack on peace itself.