The so-called "Animal Police" is a non-governmental organisation for the protection of animals. It has over 40 members from all parts of Slovenia, including the region of Goriška.

Animal Police is a group of about 40 volunteer activists, who are in charge of different aspects of animal protection, as well as five animal patrol officers whose job is surveillance inspection in the field. Owing to continuous education and experience from fieldwork, the group has managed to take efficient measures toward proper treatment in 96 percent of cases where incorrect treatment of animals had been reported.

The remaining four percent have been solved with the help of various state authorities, from the Administration for Food Safety, Veterinary Sector and Plant Protection to the Police as well as social workers in cases where animals as well as their owners live in inhumane conditions.

Too little control over animal owners
According to Aldo Goran Ninovski, head of the unit in Primorska, animal police has been founded in addition to animal welfare societies since most only operate on paper. However, Ninovski praises active societies, arguing that they do tremendous work but are predominantly focused on abandoned or free-living animals. The most pressing issue, argues Ninovski, is too little control over animal owners. Although the veterinary administration monitors this, it is often preoccupied with other tasks or too many reported cases.

Loredana Vergan, Radio Koper; translated by K. Z.