Earlier this month the eradication of stray dogs via strychnine poisoning, conducted by the San Pedro Town Council, caused an uproar as some residents did not agree with the inhumane process of controlling the dog population in the country. While some residents support the idea and had been asking for the eradicating problematic stray dogs, the humane society and dog lovers adamantly objected to the method used by the SPTC.
Mayor Daniel Guerrero had stated the main reason for his decision to carry out the eradication was because of the complaints by tourists and island residents and the increasing health issues which were brought to his attention by local doctors. It wasn’t something he wanted to do but had to do it for the best of the community. He also mentioned that the council would continue eradications to lower the population of problematic dogs.
Both the SAGA Humane Society and the San Pedro Animal Hospital (SPAH) met with the San Pedro Town Council to address the current situation and discuss the best possible and humane way to deal with stray dogs. It was established that the eradications will be conducted by SAGA and SPAH personnel, who will go out, identify areas where problematic dogs are, round them up and hold them up for three days for pet owners to claim.
In three days, dog owners are expected to claim their pets, have them spayed/neutered and they will be fined for the services. If no one claims the dogs and it is not adopted within a few days the dogs will be euthanized in a humane way.
Putting down dogs in a humane way is a bit more costly and will put a toll either on SAGA, SPAH or the Town Council. Anyone wishing to contribute for the humane eradication of dogs on the island can do so by dropping off donations at SAGA or through their website www.sagahumanesociety.org.
Pet owners are being asked to contain their animals in a fenced yard or tie them up on a permanent basis. SAGA will commence the humane eradication program in August and if the plan fails the San Pedro Town Council will continue with their method of eradication.
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