A growing problem with free-roaming livestock—cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs—has been reported across several Montenegrin municipalities for an extended period. Residents regularly share incidents on social media and in the press, while authorities warn that the situation now poses a safety risk to people, traffic, and property, according to a government report on the issue.
Cases have been documented in Podgorica, Cetinje, Budva, Tivat, Herceg Novi, Ulcinj, Bijelo Polje, and Berane. Most animals have owners who neglect their responsibilities, but Tivat is highlighted as particularly problematic because many animals there appear to be ownerless.
Despite repeated warnings from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food Safety and Veterinary Authority, only Ulcinj has established a functioning shelter for livestock. Until recently, animals from Tivat and Budva were kept temporarily at a state agricultural facility, but that option is no longer available due to Budva’s unpaid debts and exhausted capacity. Tivat had been meeting its obligations, but the animals’ natural reproduction has revived the problem.
Budva purchased a specialised transport vehicle for livestock in 2023, which could be made available to other municipalities for a fee.
Given the worsening situation, the Government proposes mandatory measures: municipalities must, within 90 days, build shelters or contract existing ones, organise the capture and transport of animals, set fees for reclaiming owned livestock, and decide how to handle unowned animals. National ministries and agencies would oversee enforcement, inspections, health checks, and penalties for negligent owners.
Identified owners would be required to retrieve their animals within three days and cover all related costs, while police and municipal services would assist in removing animals that endanger traffic or public order. The State Property Administration would be obliged to promptly resolve property issues related to land and facilities intended for shelters.