KAR policy now on strays?

[sammydavis]

KAR could you please state what we now have to do with strays, particularly bitches who may/may not have pups? Is there help with neutering fees now?

[tomsteel]

My understanding of the current situation is the responsibility now rests with the local belediye, so contact should made there.

[sophie]

Please read the statement that KAR put out on this and other Forums, plus their Website and on their Facebook page, you could of course phone them direct. You'll find them as informative as they can be. There is also a large statement in last Saturdays C2D I understand.

[petronemma]

please do not contact the belediyesi, they will kill her please someone offer this dog a home

[tomsteel]

Ref msg 4. Highly commendable, but your response doesn't answer the original poster's query. What do you suggest if nobody offers this stray, or any of the others out there, a home? What is your solution to the problem of packs/individual feral/stray animals in the TRNC?

[sophie]

TT, more to the point, as a member of the general public as I am, what is yours?

[surfmeetseast]

The doubtful treatment given to stray dogs by the useless belediyse has already been discussed on the forum lately, and I can only echo Petronemma. Please don't report to the bele Sammy, you are doing as much as you can and we are all on our own now looking after strays
If she goes to the bele she is very unlikely to be humanely euthanised, more like target practice and then dumped in the mountain
THERE ARE NO COMPOUNDS OR HUMANE TREATMENT sorry for shouting but they do not even have a scanner

[tomsteel]

Was msg 6 meant for me, if so I am not TT? I do not see a post from TT on this topic!

[surfmeetseast]

I think its pretty obvious who it was for, no nitpicking needed

[tomsteel]

Fine. My thoughts are exactly that and of no concern of yours. I answered the original poster's question to the best of my ability. Other posters decided to introduce their own agenda, without addressing the initial query. I appreciate msg 3 was far more informative than mine, but I did state, "My understanding ----." If you have the answers, publish them and address KAR, TRNC Government and the local authorities responsible for animal welfare!

[sammydavis]

The reason I am so concerned is, just as SMW said, the strays will be killed in an inhumane and cruel way. I can not understand how their 'good book' says they should be kind to animals/unfortunates yet they can't even be bothered to get a chip reader to contact a possible owner. If after everything had been exhausted, if humane euthanasia was practised, I think that would be acceptable but we would all have doubts about their promises.
If anyone could get together a group to go see the local authority in each area and demand to see what they have done re facilities and what their policy actual is, I will be there. It would have been so much better if KAR had taken this on board since they liaised with the government at one time.

[tomsteel]

sd, I'll not prolong this theme. I tried to offer advise to your original post, which didn't mention possible belidiye treatments, but sought KAR opinion. This was subsequently amplified by sophie in msg 3. I do just wonder, however, just how much heed is given to non-voting expat views on TRNC issues, including animal welfare. I am now done on this theme.

[PapaSquidge]

Tommy, with you all the way, this is the advice given out and should be adhered to, the animal do-gooders should get a life and stop behaving like hitlers youth . These animals need to be culled for so many reasons. As I mentioned earlier unicorn dust does not exist. All you animal rights/activists spew your wrath and bile against this post but you will not change my mind, instead redirect your energies to helping locals by rounding up these poor animals and take then for culling.

[elizabeth]

We came along the bypass the other night, well actually it was in the early hours of the morning, at the traffic lights at the Ezic junction there was a pack of about eight dogs. They were running all over the road, in and out of the traffic, just running wild, how there wasn't an accident is a miracle. It's all very well banging on about animal welfare but what about safety for the two legged species, it has to be dealt with at some point however much people sympathise with the plight of these dogs.

[Ragged Robin]

I wish those who advocate cullling of strays would explain how they think it is to be done.

The RSPCA (and even more the American equivalent) has skilled dog catchers, marksmen (both with guns and anesthetist darts) , specialist vehicles for carrying animals, specialist in euthanasia etc. KAR does not. Most of. the Local Authorites also have specialists, even specialist departments, in animal welfare etc. as well as purpose built pounds. and higher council taxes r Both also have where necessary the cooperation of specially trained Police Officers and the experience of trained Police dog handlers. With respect the TRNC Authorities do not and cannot be expected to, given the political circumstances and restraint

Most of us , even if we could accept the possibility of "culling" as a necessary evil, would only do so if it were to be done humanely. That means drugs - both for anesthetizing and killing the animals. drugs which I understand are difficult to obtain here and anyway very expensive. And who is going to adminster them? Even if they were willing, and I understand most are not, I doubt if there are enough Vets in the country to cope with injecting the dog stray dog population.

Also nature does find a sort of balance even when interfered with. If the stray dogs population were reduced we would have a plague of cats, and, despite them, more vermin and increased incidents of poisening domestic animals.

Finally we do live on an Island the operation would have to be Island wide (meaning aagreement prior to implementation or if Reunification) or is the entire length of the border to be patrolled to deter entry of canine illegal immigrants

[mrsgee]

Driving through Karaoglanoglu the other day....a three car pile up.....an alsation type dog with 3 pups, pups running in the road....now I am not saying they caused the accident....maybe just co-incidence....but, at the end of the day these stray dogs are an accident waiting to happen. Who knows what the answer is.....in hindsight, and what a truly wonderful thing that is......the whole issue should have been addressed years ago...and yes, if people cannot act responsibly (and it is not just locals, dogs are allowed to roam by ex pats too) unfortunately the answer has got to be culling. For heavens sake, does anyone think this situation would arise in the UK for example....no, because it is a different mindset. How many people, realistically, have 5 or 6 dogs....it is simply not feasible....ok, everyone wants to help these poor animals, but will someone, just for once, get real, hold their hands up and say enough is enough. In fact, instead of behaving like the little dutch boy with his finger in the dyke, how about starting to raise funds to pay for the humane culling.....however distasteful that might be to many, it has to be faced.

[PapaSquidge]

It never easy, but the guidelines issues by KAR are clear, report to the beleideir, hard though it is, don't feed them, report packs, it's hard and cruel and goes against what most of us feel for these animals, during my lifetime I have had over 10 rescue animals currently have 3 now as my old girls have all passed after a long life, my oldest is approaching 17 so I am by no means a dog or animal hater, just a realist. We are not going to solve this islands problems just as the animal welfare problems in UK are far from satisfactory, It is not the animals fault, it's humans but we have to also protect our own population. Currently my car has cost me over 3000TL (and rising) after a stray bolted in front of me.

[rocking]

Have to agree with last two posts. Looking at things with head and not heart, I agree with culling, we are now getting into a really dangerous situation. Yes, I do have rescue dogs and have had for past 30 years.

[Ragged Robin]

Driving through Karaoglanoglu the other day....a three car pile up.....an alsation type dog with 3 pups, pups running in the road....now I am not saying they caused the accident....maybe just co-incidence....but, at the end of the day these stray dogs are an accident waiting to happen. Who knows what the answer is.....in hindsight, and what a truly wonderful thing that is......the whole issue should have been addressed years ago...and yes, if people cannot act responsibly (and it is not just locals, dogs are allowed to roam by ex pats too) unfortunately the answer has got to be culling. For heavens sake, does anyone think this situation would arise in the UK for example....no, because it is a different mindset. How many people, realistically, have 5 or 6 dogs....it is simply not feasible....ok, everyone wants to help these poor animals, but will someone, just for once, get real, hold their hands up and say enough is enough. In fact, instead of behaving like the little dutch boy with his finger in the dyke, how about starting to raise funds to pay for the humane culling.....however distasteful that might be to many, it has to be faced.

##

Be fair, most expats (and some Cypriots) who have more than one or two dogs do so because they took pity on strays and often are struggling practically and financially as a result. But my main point is that we have the dogs neutered so they do NOT add to the stray problem!

As for the traffic, I agree that the strays are a nuisance to pedestrians (particularly those with dogs on a lead) but the traffic itself is the problem with the roads - not the dogs!

There is also a difference between different types of stray: those who are "first generation" strays are still semi domesticated and regularly fed and tend to have set areas - and the wild packs which have become truly feral and are probably the ones who come out at night!




T
a

[Becker]

RR, so the roads are for dogs? Interesting. There are far more strays now than in the 4+ years we have lived here.

[PapaSquidge]

I have just met two people this morning who have been attacked and bitten by strays on the beach, one required stitches. Last week another villager had their little toy dog torn to shreds while taking it for a walk. Please don't feed strays, remind the tourists not to adopt and then leave them to their own devices when they go back home, take them to the beleideir and insist on them being distroyed. On another note.....what are KAR actu ally doing now? What is their role, is it just to care for their old timers? Just asking the question as several people have asked me and I don't know the answer. I am not having a go at KAR, again, I have taken in rescue from KAR and have loved them for 10+ years.

[tomsteel]

If the authorities/owners will neither neuter or cull, is it any surprise the number of stray and/or feral animals is increasing? In my limited experience, (7+ years) here, expats demanding anything of a belidiye will achieve 50% of the square root of nothing.

On the subject of culling. Who is actually to administer the chosen method of execution, where, when and how? My vetinery practice will not kill healthy animals (3) practitioners and are of the opinion very few of their colleagues would do so either. Just a thought!

[Ragged Robin]

RR, so the are for dogs? Interesting. There are far more strays now than in the 4+ years we have lived here.

No the roads are for people: whether by vehicle (including small cars), bicycle or foot (where there are no pavements and for crossing) n etc.) - there are too many who think a large expensive vehcile gives them the right of way. Drivers should also be aware - particularly in a semi rural and agricultural areas of the possiblility of several types of animals straying or under control and allow adequate stopping distance.

Yes my impression too is there are more strays (and a change in the type of stray dog) - since 2004 when there was an increase in the expat population.

[sammydavis]

Surfmeetseast., did you see my good news re stray pointer under the other heading? You showed a lot of interest and help that I thought you might like to know that, as far as it goes, the poor dog should be safe, neutered and cared for now. Thanks again for caring.

[surfmeetseast]

Yes Sammy, I did and thank you so much for everything you did, it was a heartwarming post to read amid the swathes of negativity.
I believe your stray was up here at Kayalar with the GSD youngster that has also been given a home today by the lovely Floradora and their family
As individuals, every little bit we do is worth it when this is the outcome
Best regards to you

[PapaSquidge]

I am constantly amazed how small minded, self opinionated, egotistical self licking lollipop personalities cannot accept others valued opinions and suggestions without call them negative:

[mrsgee]

I agree PapaSquidge....at the end of the day I think everyone agrees something has to be done....everyone has opinions as to what that 'something' should be, and just because one suggestion (a sensible one in my view) is culling, it should not be regarded as negative, it is simply one solution to an ever increasing problem that we have here. Also an interesting point by RR......

Quote: Yes my impression too is there are more strays (and a change in the type of stray dog) - since 2004 when there was an increase in the expat population.........

So, does that suggest then that the expat population has exacerbated the problem........just a thought.......

[PapaSquidge]

Swings and round-a-bouts Mrs G, no easy answer, as a point though I drove this morning into Girne, 4 German Shepard cross breeds running along the duel carriageway...lost, confused and DANGEROUS. I personally have no problem putting them down, the vets need a good shake up if they refuse on the principle of not putting down a healthy animal....the are custodians of these animals and it would be a good start as a professional body they lobbied the local government. Meanwhile... Get rid.