Care and neutering: the only solution for stray dogs
stray dogs
17 Feb 2018
/ 10:26
CORFU. The problem of stray animals, packs and aggressive dogs. What is the Municipality doing about it and what does the law say?
There are many who take the law into their own hands either by poisoning animals or shooting the strays in the mistaken belief that this is how to protect themselves or their animals. Following a number of reports to Enimerosi of stray dogs attacking sheep, goats, poultry and people we contacted the councillor responsible for stray animals, Leonidas Pagratis, and the deputy director for the Urban Primary Sector, Vaggelis Kentarhos, to see if we could get some answers.
The pack syndrome
The most common cause of aggression is several animals coming together and forming a pack. Mr. Kentarhos told us, “A dog behaves differently when it is by itself and when it is a member of a pack – there is strength in numbers.”
Attacks on herds and flocks
Referring to attacks on herds or flocks of animals, Mr. Kentarhos said, “There have been attacks on other animals in the Pantokrator mountain area. However, it is difficult to locate the aggressive animal or pack in large open areas as by the time we get there they may have moved several kilometres away. What we recommend to livestock owners is to guard their animals.”
Mr. Pagratis told us, “We receive reports and complaints from people regarding both urban and rural areas. We have broken up packs in areas such as Liston, the airport and other vulnerable locations such as schools. Following reports from the public we locate the animals, collect them, insert microchips, sterilise them and then return them to different spots so that they don’t get back together with the old packs.”
What the law says
When asked how the Municipality is required to deal with aggressive stray animals, Mr. Kentarhos replied, “The law states how stray animals which have been proved to be aggressive should be dealt with. The law says that an animal is regarded as being dangerous if, unprovoked, it attacks another animal or a human. As the law requires, we have set up two committees – one 5-member and one 3-member – which are made up of vets only and they alone can decide whether or not an animal is dangerous. Personnel from the responsible service then monitor the dog which has been deemed aggressive for 15-20 days. If the animal is confirmed to be aggressive, it is then put down. We have scrupulously followed this procedure over the 15-16 months that we have been managing the scheme.”
Mr. Pagratis added, “We have only put down animals in two extremely serious cases. There are plenty of checks and balances. The 5-member committee is made up of myself, as project manager, Mr. Kentarhos, manager of the responsible service, animal welfare representatives and dog-trainers.”
What is the stray animal management scheme?
According to Mr. Pagratis, “With the new stray animal management scheme the committee can impose fines on municipalities that don’t implement it. The scheme is an exact application of the European Law 4032. It requires municipalities to deal with stray animals and is funded by the state.
Collaboration with The Ark
“In Corfu we have been implementing the scheme for 1½ years with complete support from The Ark, which helps with the collection of animals, sterilisation, vaccination and electronic tagging. We then return the animals to where we found them, as the law says. We don’t collaborate with Corfu dog shelter as it is illegal to shelter these animals. I would like to point out that it is the first time that the Municipality of Corfu has dealt with this problem in an organised and systematic way, as compared with other municipalities. So, the stray animals you see which are wearing red collars are those that have been collected and taken care of by the municipality.”
Regarding the sheltering of animals, Mr. Kentarhos said, “The amendment to include animal sheltering in the law didn’t pass due to the opposition of the animal welfare organizations. We, the municipality, are against putting them in a pound as in our modern society we cannot accept ‘concentration camps’ for animals.”
Care and Adoption
The Municipality of Corfu is satisfied with the way the project is being managed. “We have taken care of about 200 dogs and the percentage that have been adopted is almost 40%! We have had a lot of support from volunteers. We are confident that with this scheme over time the number of strays will continue to decrease and after a few years we won’t see any stray animals in our streets and squares. Naturally, for this to happen we need the help of the public. Owners of female dogs need to sterilise them, otherwise the problem will continue.”
Contact Numbers
Green Urban Primary Sector (Ag. Nikolaos Gate, Faliraki)
26610 21835 / 80606
The Ark animal welfare organization
26610 32111
The pack syndrome
The most common cause of aggression is several animals coming together and forming a pack. Mr. Kentarhos told us, “A dog behaves differently when it is by itself and when it is a member of a pack – there is strength in numbers.”
Attacks on herds and flocks
Referring to attacks on herds or flocks of animals, Mr. Kentarhos said, “There have been attacks on other animals in the Pantokrator mountain area. However, it is difficult to locate the aggressive animal or pack in large open areas as by the time we get there they may have moved several kilometres away. What we recommend to livestock owners is to guard their animals.”
Mr. Pagratis told us, “We receive reports and complaints from people regarding both urban and rural areas. We have broken up packs in areas such as Liston, the airport and other vulnerable locations such as schools. Following reports from the public we locate the animals, collect them, insert microchips, sterilise them and then return them to different spots so that they don’t get back together with the old packs.”
What the law says
When asked how the Municipality is required to deal with aggressive stray animals, Mr. Kentarhos replied, “The law states how stray animals which have been proved to be aggressive should be dealt with. The law says that an animal is regarded as being dangerous if, unprovoked, it attacks another animal or a human. As the law requires, we have set up two committees – one 5-member and one 3-member – which are made up of vets only and they alone can decide whether or not an animal is dangerous. Personnel from the responsible service then monitor the dog which has been deemed aggressive for 15-20 days. If the animal is confirmed to be aggressive, it is then put down. We have scrupulously followed this procedure over the 15-16 months that we have been managing the scheme.”
Mr. Pagratis added, “We have only put down animals in two extremely serious cases. There are plenty of checks and balances. The 5-member committee is made up of myself, as project manager, Mr. Kentarhos, manager of the responsible service, animal welfare representatives and dog-trainers.”
What is the stray animal management scheme?
According to Mr. Pagratis, “With the new stray animal management scheme the committee can impose fines on municipalities that don’t implement it. The scheme is an exact application of the European Law 4032. It requires municipalities to deal with stray animals and is funded by the state.
Collaboration with The Ark
“In Corfu we have been implementing the scheme for 1½ years with complete support from The Ark, which helps with the collection of animals, sterilisation, vaccination and electronic tagging. We then return the animals to where we found them, as the law says. We don’t collaborate with Corfu dog shelter as it is illegal to shelter these animals. I would like to point out that it is the first time that the Municipality of Corfu has dealt with this problem in an organised and systematic way, as compared with other municipalities. So, the stray animals you see which are wearing red collars are those that have been collected and taken care of by the municipality.”
Regarding the sheltering of animals, Mr. Kentarhos said, “The amendment to include animal sheltering in the law didn’t pass due to the opposition of the animal welfare organizations. We, the municipality, are against putting them in a pound as in our modern society we cannot accept ‘concentration camps’ for animals.”
Care and Adoption
The Municipality of Corfu is satisfied with the way the project is being managed. “We have taken care of about 200 dogs and the percentage that have been adopted is almost 40%! We have had a lot of support from volunteers. We are confident that with this scheme over time the number of strays will continue to decrease and after a few years we won’t see any stray animals in our streets and squares. Naturally, for this to happen we need the help of the public. Owners of female dogs need to sterilise them, otherwise the problem will continue.”
Contact Numbers
Green Urban Primary Sector (Ag. Nikolaos Gate, Faliraki)
26610 21835 / 80606
The Ark animal welfare organization
26610 32111
