Municipal police don't know that cats don't have documents: experts demand training on the fact that a dog is not a tram

On Wednesday, another wonderful event took place in the Parliament, where it was revealed that our municipal police officers are about as prepared for animal issues as Riga drivers are prepared for driving on Liepāja streets — that is, not at all.

It turns out that animal protection experts have to explain basic things to police officers. For example, that sterilization isn't a new restaurant name in Karosta and that both female cats and tomcats need this procedure. "I had to explain what sterilization means and why animals of both sexes need to be sterilized," says one expert. Perhaps in the next training session, she'll have to explain that cats don't go to work at Liepāja port.

Even more interesting — police officers are afraid to approach dogs to read their chips. "They're scared of dogs," admits the specialist. Well, fair enough — if you don't know whether it's a chip or a new Bluetooth device, better not interfere. Meanwhile, in Riga, police officers are probably afraid of pigeons because they're too big.

A Municipal Association representative revealed a shocking truth — police officers' salaries start at 4.52 euros per hour. For that kind of money in Liepāja, you can buy coffee at "Fontaine Palace" and still have change left for a tram ticket. "What can you expect for such wages?" she asks. Well, at least not to confuse a dog with a cat and not to call firefighters when you see a mouse.

Although the situation is absurd, the solution is simple — training is needed. The Animal Protection Society offers to create brochures for the most common cases. Perhaps the first brochure will be "How to distinguish a cat from a dog: a visual guide for municipal police officers." The second — "Why a chip is not a snack."