In August, we wrote that members of the Association for Animal Aid had tried to prevent dogs from Zieleń-Plan from being transported to a shelter in Białogard (West Pomeranian Voivodeship). Ultimately, the city authorities abandoned the transport of the dogs because one of the females gave birth. Anna Ryżewska, head of the SPZ, explained that the organization primarily wanted to examine the conditions the carrier would provide for the dogs. Grażyna Strzyżewska, head of the Municipal Department of the City Hall, promised at the time that she would notify the Association of the date of the next transport.
However, things turned out differently. On Tuesday, September 8, members of the Association noticed two men at the Zieleń-Plan facility. Both were loading animals into a waiting vehicle. The women alerted the other SPZ members.
“We were supposed to be notified about the next transport. We wanted to check the conditions in which the animals would be transported,” Anna Ryżewska told journalists on Tuesday. According to the Association’s members, the dogs should have been examined before being transported. “Meanwhile, the veterinarian only appeared when we called the police,” the organization’s head added.
“I came as quickly as I could,” emphasized Michał Drozdowski, a veterinarian. “I found no signs of illness in the animals. I believe the transport has been properly prepared and that the dogs can go to the shelter in Jelenia Góra. Especially since suitable conditions for keeping animals are available there. Zieleń-Plan is only a quarantine facility [przymusowego, okresowego odosobnienia ludzi, zwierząt, towarów itp. – przyp. red.].
“I personally promised Ms. Ryżewska that I would notify the Association when there was another transport. However, I meant transport to Białogard,” explained Grażyna Strzyżewska, who appeared at Zieleń-Plan that day. “The shelter in Jelenia Góra is a well-known facility. Experienced people work there. SPZ members themselves suggested that there were places available at this shelter,” she added.
Following the Association’s intervention, only three healthy dogs were transported to Jelenia Góra. This does not change the fact that, had it not been for the organization’s activists, the animals would not have been examined before transport. SPZ members do not want such a situation to happen again. “We intend to meet with officials and discuss this issue,” Ryżewska added.
(information ii)