The Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro has ruled that competent authorities have failed to establish an effective and coordinated system to tackle the long-standing issue of uncontrolled stray cattle in Cetinje and Budva. This systemic failure has endangered public safety, disrupted traffic, and violated citizens’ rights to the peaceful enjoyment of property. Following complaints from several local communities regarding unsupervised animals invading public roads and private properties, the Ombudsman noted that despite years of citizen reports and some minor legal actions, official responses remained purely ad-hoc and reactive.
While some individual institutions took individual steps, they failed to create a stable, operational system to remove and permanently shelter the animals. The Ombudsman rejected institutional excuses regarding a lack of trained staff and equipped shelters, emphasising that the problem has been known for years. Consequently, the state failed to meet standards of good administration and positive obligations under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
As a result, a series of binding recommendations have been issued with a 30-day deadline to report back on the progress. The municipalities of Cetinje and Budva must immediately set up a functional system for catching, transporting, and permanently housing stray livestock, which includes hiring trained staff and acquiring specialised equipment. Additionally, the Food Safety Authority must intensify inspections and consistently penalise irresponsible animal owners, while the Police Directorate must improve coordination with other services for faster emergency interventions when cattle threaten traffic or public safety.
