| The only time one can really say that the often cited | | | | them, can't place them, rather than risking a horrible |
| "near perfect weather" in Guanajuato takes on a | | | | cruel death by abandonment, it is kinder to have |
| sour disposition is during the late spring and summer. | | | | them destroyed. And yet, that does not seem to fit |
| That's when the infamous Rainy Season descends on | | | | into the equation of some of the local companion |
| the inhabitants of Guanajuato and sends locals and | | | | animal owners. |
| expatriates alike running for cover and looking for | | | | Trash dumpsters and public plazas seem to be |
| sinus relief potions and tablets. Though it turns this | | | | favorite places for this cruel habit of animal dumping. |
| mountain desert city into a little emerald jewel for a | | | | The more people who frequent an area, I suppose, |
| few months, it also has drawbacks that are hard to | | | | the bigger the chance "someone might have pity and |
| observe, difficult to discuss, and a bit heartbreaking. | | | | take them home." After all, they must reason, the |
| This time of the year also brings the onslaught of | | | | trash dumpster is frequented a lot, so why not dump |
| unwanted puppies and kittens. Last Sunday, my wife | | | | puppies unable to fend for themselves there? |
| and I were walking in the Pastita area when we saw | | | | So, there's the problem. How do we fix it? |
| two puppies that seemed too young to walk much | | | | Generational problems are the hardest to repair. This |
| less survive on their own. They were "dumped" at | | | | problem is not just endemic to Guanajuato but is a |
| the trash dumpster close to the baseball stadium. | | | | nationwide issue. Though I can't confirm this, the |
| Four days later, when leaving for a grocery run, we | | | | anecdotal evidence is that in "some" regions, the |
| found another puppy, maybe 4-6 weeks old, at the | | | | problem is more under control than in Guanajuato. |
| trash dumpster in front of the CFE building (the | | | | When I ask why, I am told that the laws already on |
| electric company) screaming from fright. There it | | | | the books about animal cruelty are actually enforced |
| was, in the blazing sun and sweltering humidity, | | | | in some Mexican towns. If that is so, it is far too few |
| dumped by someone who thought this an | | | | and a change of minds and hearts about this unjust |
| appropriate, pro-social behavior. They may have | | | | and inhumane treatment has to occur everywhere. |
| thought this was a kinder act than euthanasia. | | | | As I said, one instance is one too many. Imagine the |
| I've asked randomly, in various areas of town, why | | | | suffering of companion animals all over Mexico if |
| the locals do this. Mind you, I am not referring to | | | | indeed it is a national problem. |
| every Mexican without exception. However, one local | | | | Some say "education" is the answer. I think it is one |
| doing this behavior is one too many. The unanimous | | | | component of the answer. Education, reaching the |
| answer has been that puppies, as well as adult dogs, | | | | children, is part of the solution. Real and effective |
| are dumped rather than having them put down | | | | enforcement of the laws already on the books, and |
| because the "someone-might-rescue-them" mentality | | | | perhaps making a few more enforceable and |
| overwhelms any sort of attempt at coming up with | | | | stringent laws, is certainly the other missing |
| alternate solutions like humane euthanasia. To not | | | | component, is it not? |
| think critically and come up with the answer that | | | | When people have to begin forking over their money |
| Puppy Dumping is the only solution just has to make | | | | for allowing their dogs to breed indiscriminately and to |
| you stop and say, "You cannot be serious!" | | | | run loose unsupervised and unfettered, I think the |
| The "someone might take them home" mentality | | | | problem could improve almost overnight. That takes |
| seems to be so pervasive that they don't think | | | | a change in a culture's worldview. Is it too much to |
| outside that box: | | | | expect? |
| "Yes, someone might take them, but the poor | | | | I not only think it is possible to change hearts and |
| creatures might die from the elements, be killed by a | | | | minds; I think stranger things have happened. |
| car, killed and consumed by a larger dog, or totally | | | | It isn't too hard. |
| ignored to die a hideous death." | | | | It can be done! |
| Kindness and logic dictate that if you can't keep | | | | |