In July, we wrote that the Animal Assistance Association operates in Bolesławiec. On Thursday, August 13, members of the organization gathered outside the headquarters of Zieleń-Plan Zbigniew Wolański, a company that handles stray dogs on behalf of the city authorities. “There is one reason: transporting the dogs to the shelter in Białogard,” says Anna Ryżewska, head of SPZ. “First, we would like to examine the conditions offered to the animals by the carrier. Second, we believe this is not the right time to take these dogs away.
As Ryżewska explains, some of the dogs are ill. What is more, one of the female dogs gave birth early Thursday morning. “Another argument against transporting the animals is that not all the dogs have been staying at Zieleń-Plan for approximately 30 days, while that is precisely the term of the agreement the city office signed with Mr. Wolański,” the organization’s head says. “In addition, an email reached Grażyna Strzyżewska, head of the Municipal Services Department at the city office, stating that conditions at the shelter in Białogard are tragic.”
Animal-rights activists had also heard that prosecutorial proceedings were underway concerning the shelter. “That would mean the animals could be sent either to truly colossal suffering or even to their deaths,” Anna Ryżewska points out. “For me, the matter is clear: either we care for the animals, look after them and protect them, or we make a joke of it. To me, this is a bad joke.”
Members of the Association may feel disappointed. They care for the dogs from Zieleń-Plan every day. They have arranged shifts. Every day, they take the dogs for walks. They cured some of the animals of kennel syndrome. “Dogs that were complete strangers trusted us right away,” recalls Janina Barbara Rydz, a member of SPZ. She adds: “In a civilized Poland that has joined the European Union, animals should be properly cared for.”
Despite this, the Municipal Commune still does not treat the Association as a partner. “We are still viewed as intruders,” Ryżewska points out. “But in reality, we do not want to make anything more difficult. On the contrary, we want to help.
City Authorities Reject the Allegations
Grażyna Strzyżewska assures that the city authorities are monitoring what is happening to the transported dogs. “We are monitoring the situation all the time. Fifty-nine dogs were delivered to the shelter in Białogard, 37 of which were put up for adoption. Two dogs died, but they were in serious condition and had been involved in accidents,” the department head emphasizes. “No prosecutorial proceedings are underway against the shelter. The email Mrs. Ryżewska mentioned was intended only for my information. In addition, on the website of one of the local portals we found an article stating that an inspector from the Society for the Protection of Animals could no longer make any allegations against the company running the shelter.
Where and when the dogs will be transported is not known for now. The city authorities have not yet signed an agreement with a carrier. We have established that the transport of the dogs will definitely be postponed, especially since the number of animals at the holding facility has increased by four. “Perhaps people interested in adopting these little dogs will come forward?” the department head wonders.
Officials are also looking for a shelter located closer to Bolesławiec. As Agnieszka Gergont, the city office’s spokesperson, wrote in an email to the editorial office, the cost of transporting and accepting one animal in Białogard (West Pomeranian Voivodeship) is approximately PLN 1,500.
Asked why the city authorities do not cooperate with SPZ, Grażyna Strzyżewska replied: “We are open to meetings with members of the Association. But we also need to know the areas in which we could cooperate.
(report by Gerard Augustyn)