A shocking scene unfolded this morning along the promenade in Vlora, Albania, as numerous stray dogs were found dead believed to have been poisoned just days before the city is set to welcome the Giro d’Italia.
Credit : JOQ Albania
The dogs, known and loved by locals volunteers and tourists, had lived peacefully along the Lungomare for years. Many residents would feed them daily, and they were known for being friendly and non-aggressive. But today, the promenade turned into a scene of tragedy.
“I feed them every morning,” one resident shared anonymously. “Today, I found them lifeless — one after another. Poisoned. They didn’t harm anyone. This was done on purpose. They were removed just because of the upcoming event.”
The municipality, under Mayor Ermal Dredha, has been widely criticized for failing to implement humane solutions for the stray dog population such as sterilization programs, proper sheltering, and adoptions. Instead, many believe the city has turned a blind eye to illegal and inhumane actions.
“This cannot be how we represent our city to the world,” wrote one activist on social media. “Poisoning innocent animals before an international event like the Giro is not progress — it’s cruelty, hidden behind a polished image.”
Calls for justice are growing, with lawyers preparing official complaints and volunteers collecting evidence, including CCTV footage.
Volunteers are asking anyone with information or footage from the Lungomare area to come forward