Karol and Marta Nawrocki met with celebrities and officials at the Presidential Palace to discuss concerning conditions in animal shelters in Bytom and Sobolew.
Meeting at the Presidential Palace
On Tuesday (February 3), the Presidential Office announced that Karol and Marta Nawrocki met with singer Doda (Dorota Rabczewska), journalist Krzysztof Stanowski, and Left MP Łukasz Litewka. The meeting was also attended by Presidential Minister Mateusz Kostecki and Karol Nawrocki’s sister, Nina Nawrocka.
The meeting concerned the conditions in which animals live in shelters in Bytom and Sobolew. The guests of the presidential couple have recently publicized the situation of these facilities.
Conversation about Shelters
As indicated by the Presidential Office, “the meeting was organized in response to alarming reports about the dramatic conditions in which animals live” in the mentioned shelters.
“For years, there have been serious neglect and unacceptable treatment of animals there. In this context, the situation of private animal shelters in Poland and proposals for changes to care for their charges were discussed,” it was added. During the conversation, the guests of the presidential couple presented their demands regarding the situation of animals. “Among the most important issues mentioned was the proposal to increase penalties for cruelty to animals and to deprive perpetrators of the right to own animals,” it was reported.
Inspections in Shelters
In January, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration conducted inspections at animal shelters. The results of the action were presented on January 29. Chief Veterinary Officer Paweł Meyer stated at the time that 398 such inspections were conducted. Irregularities were found in 40 shelters, he added, as quoted by PAP.
He also informed that decisions have already been made regarding four shelters, and further decisions will be made “immediately.” He also announced that an audit of all such facilities in the country will be conducted by the end of this year.
The MSWiA action was a response to voices from pro-animal activists who were concerned about the situation in such facilities, especially during severe frosts.
