07/26/24 Rescued dogs released from chains; charges filed against abuser
The relocation of abused dogs in Split has begun, and sterilizations are underway
- Split is expected to register a dog shelter and work on the socialization of the dogs
It has been almost three months since the Croatian public was shocked by the news of a renowned psychiatrist in Split keeping over sixty dogs and two wolves for dog fighting. The organization Animal Friends Croatia pressed criminal charges and filed misdemeanour charges against the psychiatrist, who continues to work at the Split hospital despite showing a complete lack of empathy by breeding dogs for fights.
In the meantime, the Municipal State Attorney's Office in Split informed Animal Friends Croatia that, following their criminal complaint, charges have been filed against Tomislav Pelivan for the criminal offense of destroying protected parts of nature under Article 200, Paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code and the criminal offense of killing or torturing animals under Article 205, Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code.
In addition to previously requested statements from the Croatian Medical Chamber and the Croatian Association of Hospital Doctors (HUBOL) on how they plan to sanction their member, the Animal Protection Network has also requested a statement from the Clinical Hospital Center Split following the indictment. None of the mentioned institutions have responded to date.
Animal Friends Croatia reports that there have been positive changes regarding the rehoming of the dogs found at the location in Split. By the end of June, only a fraction of animals had been relocated to different shelters; one had died from parvovirus, and one dog strangulated itself by entangling its chain around a pallet, with the remaining forty-five animals at the same private location awaiting the completion of temporary rehousing at Karepovac, which has a capacity for 60 dogs with sufficient outdoor space for activites. As of today, the work is nearing completion, twenty dogs have been moved to a new location, two dogs have been placed in a registered shelter in Medulin, and twenty more are awaiting relocation. All dogs were sterilized by an authorized shelter before being relocated to Karepovac and were placed in individual kennels after recovery.
This shows significant effort has been made to provide the distressed dogs from the Put Ori¹ca location with decent living conditions and a chance for adoption. The works are still in progress, including the acquisition of dog houses and ensuring staff for daily care. Once all the dogs are released from chains and relocated, and after an adjustment period, professional socialization will be required.
Animal Friends Croatia and the Animal Protection Network are in contact with behaviorists from Network for Animals who are willing to assist in assessing and socializing dogs and have put them in contact with the City of Split, from whom they expect full cooperation for this valuable assistance.
The organization points out that this horrific case is just one of many that still need to be uncovered and that Split has a long-term problem with abandoned dogs, lacking an adequate shelter. Therefore, Animal Friends Croatia and the Animal Protection Network launched a petition at the end of June for Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, to build its own registered shelter. They believe that Split will heed these reasonable appeals from citizens and organizations.
The petition is still active, and they invite everyone to join in urging the City of Split to immediately move towards meeting all the conditions for registration. Animal Friends Croatia believes it would be highly commendable and beneficial for Split and the dogs if the temporary shelter becomes a registered shelter by the end of the year. They hope the City of Split will find a way to make this a permanent location and consider other locations for future shelter relocations.
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