Sarajevo question
 

All of you seasoned BiH travelers, I have been reading about dogs roaming in packs in Sarajevo -- is this something to be concerned about? I find myself really worried about it and wonder why no one has mentioned it here. It's also not mentioned in the guide I'm using most -- the Bradt Guide. Did you find it a problem?

Thanks,
Rebecca

Our son was there for four days last week. He just texted me that yes there were lots of strays and once a day he would see a larger pack of 6-7. He only saw one incident involving a person, which I know is one too many.

Oh, what a sad development! I wonder if there are any "easy" things people can do to divert them?

Not to be overly dramatic but he sent me a picture he took last week. Night shot which is now my profile picture, unfortunately sideways. His description - "One block over from the market, on the street with all the bars." Which explains why he saw them. :)

A little googling brings lots of comment on this issue. Significant sympathy for the dogs.

Wow, that's a big change. I don't remember seeing any dogs, but I was there in 2011. Really sorry to hear about it.

We were there last year and had didn't see any packs of dogs.

Here are the numbers:

http://www.dogstrust.ba/en/number-of...nton-sarajevo/

That looks like a great program. Hope they can implement it in Asia.

I'm really glad to know about the neutering campaign, thanks. Anyone else see dogs roaming?

I definitely saw stray dogs last May in Sarajevo (and somewhat in all the towns in BiH, really). I was worried for them (sad that they were stray), not fearful for my safety. I didn't see any "packs" - no more than two at a time, quietly laying or walking around.

And stray cats too (in Croatia as well as Bosnia) - but as much as I adore cats and find stray cats very sad, I feel cats are better able to adapt to solitary life as strays. Dogs seem like they really belong with people.

It sounds like it will less of a problem than I feared. I have been worried for our safety as well as just dealing with dogs bothering us. But I like your attitude of compassion for the dogs rather than fear. Thanks.

I am glad to report that I only saw one pack of dogs on my very last day in Sarajevo! They were across the river from where I was, and they made a racket, snarling and barking, but that was it. I think it's ironic that I saw them on our last day there.

Thanks for letting us know -- let's hope that means that progress has been made in bringing the problem under control in a humane way.

Yes thanks for reporting back.