At that time, the shelter itself categorically denies that the dogs were handed over for temporary care and claims that the animal owner abandoned them. The situation has already reached the State Food and Veterinary Service (SFVS), and a dispute is arising between the parties regarding the return of the animals.
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Sought help in a difficult situation
15min interviewed D. Trabucco, who said that he arrived in Lithuania with his two dogs – Mikis and Mulan. According to him, due to unexpected personal circumstances, he needed temporary help with pet care.
„Due to a very stressful and unique situation, I had to seek help, so I contacted „Penkta koja“, – the man said.
According to him, both dogs had previously been taken from this very shelter, so he hoped to receive help.
„I was near Kaunas, I needed help, and my dogs are from „Penkta koja“. At the time, I was unaware of any previous disputes or restrictions on the organization’s activities“, – he stated.
„I said I’d be back in a week“
According to the interviewee, a verbal agreement was reached between him and the shelter staff regarding temporary dog care.
„When I left the dogs, I clearly stated that I would return in a week or even sooner. A week was the longest period we discussed“, – the man asserted.
He claims that one employee agreed to temporarily take in the animals, while another organization employee offered to temporarily house one dog in their home.
Nevertheless, D. Trabucco admits that there was no written agreement.
„There was no contract. The agreement was verbal“, – he said.
Wanted to pick up the dogs after two days
According to the man, the situation changed faster than he expected.
„After two days, I was already ready to return and pick up the dogs“, – the interviewee stated.
However, according to him, that’s when the disagreements began.
„From that moment, I started hearing different stories and different versions of events. Each time, a different explanation was given as to why I couldn’t get my dogs back“, – said D. Trabucco.
According to him, initially, there was talk of transferring the dogs to temporary guardians, and later his suitability to keep animals was questioned.
The man disagrees with this assessment and asserts that both dogs lived together for many years without problems.
„Mikis and Mulan lived together for many years. They slept, played, and spent time together. Therefore, it was difficult for me to understand why it was suddenly claimed that they couldn’t be together“, – he said.
Claims to have received an unusual offer
D. Trabucco also claims to have received an offer, which he views as an attempt to resolve the conflict privately.
„I was offered to get one dog back if I dropped legal action for the second, didn’t publicize the story, and removed information from the internet“, – he asserted.
According to the man, it was after this conversation that he decided to actively seek legal help.
„My dogs are not objects to be negotiated over. They are my family“, – the interviewee said.
According to him, due to the situation, he contacted the police, SFVS, and lawyers.
„Penkta koja“: dogs were given away, not left temporarily
The animal shelter „Penkta koja“, which provided a written comment to 15min, disagrees with D. Trabucco’s version of events and asserts that there was no agreement regarding temporary dog care.
According to the organization, the man brought both dogs to the shelter, left them along with their documents and belongings, and departed.
„Penkta koja“ states that during the conversation, the man said he was tired of the problems that, according to him, the dogs were causing, and allegedly uttered the phrase „enough is enough“ (Lithuanian: to jau per daug).
The shelter emphasizes that it is not an animal hotel and does not provide temporary pet boarding services.
„There was neither a written nor a verbal agreement that the dogs would be cared for for a week or any other specific period and then returned to him“, – the organization stated.
According to the shelter, the circumstance that their documents and personal belongings were left with the dogs also indicated the owner’s intention to abandon them.
According to the shelter’s representatives, since the animals were left at the organization, they could not simply be ignored.
Therefore, according to „Penkta koja“, people who could care for the animals were sought.
The organization states that the dogs are currently not kept at the shelter – they have been handed over to guardians.
This circumstance was also confirmed by the SFVS in its comment. According to the service, the animals were not entered into the shelter’s records because they were transferred to a temporary guardian on the same day.
Also explains the proposed compromise
„Penkta koja“ also states that D. Trabucco himself told the organization about the problems he faced due to the dogs.
According to the shelter, the man stated that he lost his place of residence due to circumstances related to the animals, and also spoke about conflicts between the dogs.
According to the organization, D. Trabucco also mentioned an incident at the Polish border, during which one of the dogs allegedly attacked an officer.
D. Trabucco himself also mentioned to 15min that one of the pets appeared aggressive and barked at an officer at the border.
The shelter also commented on D. Trabucco’s claim that he was offered to get back only one of the two dogs.
According to the organization, such an option was considered due to the circumstances cited by the shelter itself, related to the animals’ mutual relationships and problems that the man himself allegedly spoke about earlier.
Bases decisions on animal welfare argument
„Penkta koja“ states that the animals were not automatically returned to the owner simply because the person who left them later changed their position.
According to the organization, in such situations, animal welfare, safety, and stability are primarily assessed.
„Animals are not objects that can be left one day and then simply demanded back after some time, without assessing what has happened during that time and what situation best serves the animals’ own interests“, – the shelter stated in its comment.
In the organization’s assessment, the mere circumstance that the owner decided to leave the animals allegedly implies the need for an additional assessment of his ability to care for them in the future.
The shelter also asserts that it is trying to mediate between D. Trabucco and the individuals currently caring for the dogs, and to find a compromise solution.
At the same time, the organization criticizes the man’s chosen actions in resolving the conflict. „Penkta koja“ states that D. Trabucco disagrees with the proposed compromise options, contacts various institutions and the media, and allegedly sends aggressive messages to the shelter.
SFVS: such disputes can be resolved in court
The SFVS stated that the situation is known to them and an inspection was carried out due to the received report. The service emphasized that animal shelters are not intended for temporary pet boarding.
„Animal shelters are not a place for temporary animal storage. Such services are provided by animal hotels and other similar establishments“, – the service stated.
According to the SFVS, if the agreement on the transfer of animals is not formalized, issues of ownership rights and animal return can be resolved through civil procedure.
„Only a court can decide whether the animals should be returned to the owner“, – the service noted.
During the inspection, according to the SFVS, it was found that the dogs were not included in the shelter’s records of accepted animals.
According to the service, the shelter’s representatives stated that the animals were transferred to a temporary guardian on the same day.
The SFVS also noted that according to the decision of March 1, 2023, VšĮ „Penkta koja“ is prohibited from accepting new animals into the animal care facility for keeping from March 21, 2023.
The service informed that an investigation into possible non-compliance with animal marking and registration requirements is currently ongoing.
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