01/10/05 Report to the Veterinary Inspection - Klovicevi Dvori Gallery
Veterinary Office of the City of Zagreb
Att. Mr. Zeljko Devcic
Avenije Dubrovnik 12
10000 Zagreb
January 10, 2005
Dear Mr. Devcic,
We want to inform you about incongruous accommodation and conduction towards animals due to exploitation for supposed art purposes in Klovicevi Dvori Gallery (Jezuitski trg 4), within the exhibition presentation "Object Enigma," which conducted from December 17, 2004 till February 20, 2005.
According to reports to our organization from citizens, one of the exhibits in a dark room is made of 7-8 aquariums with goldfish, with screens behind them at which aggressive expressions, regarding the colors and interchanging time, are being constantly interchanged. All the fish are crammed in the front part of the aquarium and, as exhibition visitor describes it, are "all obviously frightened" and few of them floated motionless on the surface. Exhibition visitor, who reported this case to us talked to one of the girls who worked there and she told him that a new shipment of fish comes in every day because they all die within the day.
We think that exploitation of animals for propaganda purposes of so called art in the manner of forcing them to unnatural behavior and holding them in unsatisfactory and humiliating conditions, which result with their death is unacceptable. Article 5 and Article 23 of present Animal Welfare Act anticipate sanctions for that kind of animal exploitation. We also informed media about everything, and they also expect statement from your inspection regarding whole case.
Relating everything stated we appeal to you that you investigate the whole case and to take appropriate steps towards helping the animals and sanctioning this kind of animal treatment. Exhibition is due till February 20, but we urge you to react as soon as possible in order to prevent further daily fish killing. Working time for visitors is from Tuesday until Sunday from 11 A.M. to 7 P.M.
We thank you in advance and request that you notify us in letter about the veterinary inspection report.
With best regards,
Animal Friends