CATCH 22
OR THE DEATH ZONE
FOR MUCH MONEY AND CRIME
Rossi and Eric from Strelbishte, Lora from Lyulin, Sevcho from Lagera, Mecho and Mery from Chervena roza... Long is the list of those disappeared from all corners of Sofia in the inferno called 'dog station' in the village of Mirovyane. All these kind-hearted dogs were neutered, dewormed and vaccinated by volunteers, so as to present no threat to citizens.
On 5 December 2005 a company under the spin-chilling for Sofioters name 'VIGOMI-M' concluded a BGN 100 000 worth contract with Sofia Municipality for "veterinary treatment" of dogs: catching….
According to the Veterinary Act in Bulgaria, a caught dog is placed in a station and if not asked for in 14 days, is painlessly put to death.
Mirovyane, however, seems to be in a different Bulgaria, because:
- The dogs shot with 'anesthetic substances' are put to sleep for good by the catchers, and the legally provided for 14-day stay ends up with their catch the very first day
- Plundering very early in the morning or in the darkest of the night is a trademark of the marauding the streets of Sofia in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 'Vigomi' company from Stara Zagora, reborn today as a Sofia company 'VIGOMI-M' m- m -m….
- From a car with no insignia Rambo's with questionable qualification to utilize anesthetic substances dart out, sneak around, and when they spot the prey they shoot their deadly arrows. (beware, because this 'patented anesthetic' is lethal to humans, too)
- If you nevertheless insist to look for your dog, you have two options:
- go straight to the municipal dog station in Lozenets, where from 9 am to 4 pm Monday through Friday with the pass issued on spot, you may search for your dog
- the second option will explode the fallacy that you are at the threshold of EU; it will fade like a mirage on the path of tribulations in store for you before you get access to the DEATH ZONE - the 'Vigomi' version of a dog station
- first: you have to earn/merit your pass to the DEATH ZONE by going to the Headquarters of "Ekoravnovesie" municipal enterprise near the Central Station in order to get the priceless slip of paper on which the life of your dog depends
- second: don't haste with gratitude, because you are to find out that you get into the DEATH ZONE if only you have yet another stamp and signature - that of the Head of the Sofia Inspectorate, so rush downtown to 5 Paris Street, nearby the Alexander Nevski Cathedral. (on your way you may hail the mayor on this wonderful initiative to wither your wish to save your dog or adopt a stray one)
- third: well, now you can shoot back to Nadezhda (I am not joking, that's the direction), get to the ring road, and after a 30-km drive you find yourself in Mirovyane. - "Oh, no, no," the flight of your thought is halted by the kind inspector at 5 Paris Street, watching you with sympathy ,"your pass is for Tuesday, between 2 pm and 4 pm, and today is Thursday"……"But?! May I…". "YOU MAY NOT!"
- fourth: YOU HAVE NO CHOICE - YOU SURVIVE BY TUESDAY and you reach the longer-for Mirovyane, the snag, however being, that no one there has ever heard that a dog station ever exists, nor that anyone has thought of putting direction signs
- fifth: after hectic runaround you spot in the distance, beyond the cemetery something that might be it. On your last legs you drove there and… finally you enter the ZONE
- sixth: a tall gate confronts you, but you really cannot give up now: softly, humbly, and then more confidently you cry, shout, bang as forcefully as you can until someone hears and may will to open the door.
- If your taken-away dog is not neutered and his fur is not that attractive you might be lucky to recognize him/her among the dozen freezing at -14?C in the cages, but cannot collect him since the 'Vigomi-M' version of Catch 22 is in force:
- the station in question avails of no operating theatre, and the vet cannot neuter the dog, and if the dog is not neutered, under the Bulgarian legislation, you cannot take the dog with you.
- the station's activity is illegal - it is not licensed for veterinary practice, including catching and neutering of dogs, but then they will sell you a dog for three times the price, BGN 68, of the municipal station, which is BGN 24.
On 17 January 2006 an inspection of the National Veterinary Office discovered the unlawful activity of the DEATH ZONE, but is powerless to stop their illegal practice.
What are we, the ordinary citizens, to do when the Sofia Municipality dissipates our money to support such outrage?
How long shall it go on like this? After all, it depends on US as well, doesn't it?
Or we like this way - to be bullied while we applaud!
AND PAY AT THAT!
Sign the petition for the closing down of the private dog killing station in the village of Mirovyane, where animals find their death supported the Sofia taxpayers' money!
You may send the filled-in petition forms to: Sofia 1000, 'Gotse Delchev' Blvd, block 24A-B-28 or at AFA's e-mail address: afa_bulgaria@abv.bg