In the midst of a scorching heatwave that has gripped Western Europe, the plight of animals in Montenegro has come to the forefront, with activists sounding the alarm over the neglect of horses in the capital, Podgorica. This issue, while seemingly isolated, sheds light on a broader concern: the lack of comprehensive animal welfare infrastructure in many European countries, including Montenegro, which is striving to join the European Union (EU).
The heatwave, with temperatures soaring to nearly 40 degrees Celsius, has not only broken records but also exposed the vulnerability of animals left to fend for themselves. The sight of unattended horses roaming the outskirts of Podgorica, lacking shelter, water, or food, is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by animal welfare advocates. As Marta Darmanovic, an animal protection activist, points out, the situation is not confined to remote areas but is just 4 kilometers from the city center.
What makes this scenario particularly distressing is the lack of a designated shelter for large animals in Montenegro. The country, with its 620,000 inhabitants, has effectively legalized animal abuse by failing to provide the minimum infrastructure required for the enforcement of animal welfare regulations. This oversight is not unique to Montenegro; it reflects a broader trend in Europe, where the heatwave has exposed the vulnerability of animals in various ways.
In France, temperatures have exceeded those of the 2003 heatwave, which resulted in 15,000 deaths, many of them older people. Hungary broke its national heat record, reaching 42 degrees Celsius. These extreme conditions have not only impacted human health but have also placed animals in peril, as seen in the case of the horses in Podgorica.
The situation in Montenegro is further complicated by the presence of an illegal dumpsite and unregistered, improvised settlements near the area where the horses have gathered. This suggests that the animals may have been abandoned or left to fend for themselves due to a lack of proper care and ownership. The absence of a responsible entity to provide water or food for these animals exacerbates the problem.
The call for action is clear. Montenegro, as an EU candidate nation, must address its shortcomings in animal welfare regulations. The establishment of shelters for large animals, as proposed by Branko Kovacevic, the head of Podgorica’s Municipal Inspection Administration, is a step in the right direction. However, it is not sufficient. The country needs to invest in comprehensive animal welfare infrastructure, including shelters, veterinary care, and public awareness campaigns.
The heatwave in Europe has served as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of human and animal welfare. As temperatures continue to rise, the need for proactive measures to protect animals becomes increasingly urgent. The situation in Montenegro is a microcosm of a larger issue, one that requires the attention and action of policymakers, animal welfare advocates, and the public at large. Only through collective effort can we ensure that animals, like humans, are protected from the harshest effects of extreme weather conditions.
