Comments on: The strays of Santiago http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-strays-of-santiago travel writing from a modern-day flâneur Fri, 01 Aug 2014 18:49:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Things to do in Valparasio | Two Peas Abroad http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-12297 Things to do in Valparasio | Two Peas Abroad Tue, 28 Jan 2014 14:55:53 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-12297 [...] We have failed so far to mention the many many street dogs of Chile. Santiago, Valparaiso, and Pichilemu (from where I am currently writing) have many street dogs. The dogs are very friendly and will often follow you around while you explore the city. The residents take care of the dogs, some of them are even pretty chubby. Bowls of water are left out all over the city for the dogs! These good natured dogs add to the charm and character of Chile and serve as evidence to the welcoming and caring attitude of Chileans. (here’s a good blog if you want to learn more about the strays -http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago). [...] [...] We have failed so far to mention the many many street dogs of Chile. Santiago, Valparaiso, and Pichilemu (from where I am currently writing) have many street dogs. The dogs are very friendly and will often follow you around while you explore the city. The residents take care of the dogs, some of them are even pretty chubby. Bowls of water are left out all over the city for the dogs! These good natured dogs add to the charm and character of Chile and serve as evidence to the welcoming and caring attitude of Chileans. (here’s a good blog if you want to learn more about the strays -http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago). [...]

]]> By: Jim http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-7157 Jim Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:07:55 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-7157 I would suggest a bit more caution than some have indicated. My second week in Stgo I was walking through Parque Bustamante and felt a sudden "hit" on the back of my lower leg. Turning around I was facing 3 not-friendly looking, growling dogs. As I moved away, 2 of them began a flanking manuever on both my right and left, while the apparent "alpha" stayed right in front of me, growling and baring his teeth. As I moved closer to a group of people, they left. Fortunately, the skin of my leg was not broken, no blood. Perhaps they just wanted me out of their territory. However I personally know several people who have had to undergo treatment of rabies shots due to street-dog bites. One of my students missed class, then showed up at the next class with a badly damaged hand from a street-dog encounter. 90% of street dogs will not bother you, but the other 10% are a reality which requires caution. I would suggest a bit more caution than some have indicated. My second week in Stgo I was walking through Parque Bustamante and felt a sudden “hit” on the back of my lower leg. Turning around I was facing 3 not-friendly looking, growling dogs. As I moved away, 2 of them began a flanking manuever on both my right and left, while the apparent “alpha” stayed right in front of me, growling and baring his teeth. As I moved closer to a group of people, they left. Fortunately, the skin of my leg was not broken, no blood. Perhaps they just wanted me out of their territory. However I personally know several people who have had to undergo treatment of rabies shots due to street-dog bites. One of my students missed class, then showed up at the next class with a badly damaged hand from a street-dog encounter. 90% of street dogs will not bother you, but the other 10% are a reality which requires caution.

]]> By: Jenessa http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-5329 Jenessa Fri, 18 Jan 2013 06:06:31 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-5329 I am a student from the US studying in Valpo. During my stay here the dogs have been really friendly and i always try to save some scraps from lunch for them. But what concerns me are the many dogs here that limp around with broken appendages, missing eyes and numerous ticks. Without medical attention, many of these dogs will/do die on the street. Also, just this week more than 40 dogs were found poisoned in Punta Arenas, Chile. Clearly someone has a problem with these animals on the street. i just hope the problem can begin to be corrected in the most humane manner before its too late for many more dogs. In the article talking about the presidents response to the mass poisonings of dogs, he said he would introduce a bill for tighter regulations for dog ownership, i think this is definitely a step in the right direction. A statistic provided by Pro Animal Chile said that ~73% of the dogs on the street have been abandoned or have owners that do not provide adequate care. I hope that Chile can hold owners more accountable and educate people on the responsibility of having a dog before they buy one. Best of luck. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/01/16/Chilean-president-seeks-stray-dog-bill/UPI-74351358351608/ http://www.santiagotimes.cl/opinion/special-reports/25102-chiles-street-dogs-the-four-legged-vagabonds I am a student from the US studying in Valpo. During my stay here the dogs have been really friendly and i always try to save some scraps from lunch for them. But what concerns me are the many dogs here that limp around with broken appendages, missing eyes and numerous ticks. Without medical attention, many of these dogs will/do die on the street. Also, just this week more than 40 dogs were found poisoned in Punta Arenas, Chile. Clearly someone has a problem with these animals on the street. i just hope the problem can begin to be corrected in the most humane manner before its too late for many more dogs. In the article talking about the presidents response to the mass poisonings of dogs, he said he would introduce a bill for tighter regulations for dog ownership, i think this is definitely a step in the right direction. A statistic provided by Pro Animal Chile said that ~73% of the dogs on the street have been abandoned or have owners that do not provide adequate care. I hope that Chile can hold owners more accountable and educate people on the responsibility of having a dog before they buy one. Best of luck.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/01/16/Chilean-president-seeks-stray-dog-bill/UPI-74351358351608/
http://www.santiagotimes.cl/opinion/special-reports/25102-chiles-street-dogs-the-four-legged-vagabonds

]]> By: Yvonne http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-2863 Yvonne Tue, 29 May 2012 15:56:45 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-2863 I am presently in Chile and I find these stray dogs to be a great conversation piece. They all seem to be calm and without any fear of people and therefore without any need to be a threat to humans. My friends and I have made a game of seeing who can spot the most stray dogs in a day! The people of chile seem to be friendly and I am not surprised to find that they would treat their animals with compassion. I am presently in Chile and I find these stray dogs to be a great conversation piece. They all seem to be calm and without any fear of people and therefore without any need to be a threat to humans. My friends and I have made a game of seeing who can spot the most stray dogs in a day!
The people of chile seem to be friendly and I am not surprised to find that they would treat their animals with compassion.

]]> By: Chile: Santiago « redshirtliving http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-2857 Chile: Santiago « redshirtliving Tue, 22 May 2012 02:40:56 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-2857 [...] limited energy, but there was one draw in Chile that could get me outside faster than any other: stray dogs!  There are thousands of street dogs in Chile, many are fed by local restaurants or find leftovers [...] [...] limited energy, but there was one draw in Chile that could get me outside faster than any other: stray dogs!  There are thousands of street dogs in Chile, many are fed by local restaurants or find leftovers [...]

]]> By: Ilcia http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-2257 Ilcia Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:27:26 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-2257 Jocelyn, This is the first time i heard that someone from abroad is sending money to solve the problem with stray dogs, you do not have to do this if you feel so unconfortable, we do no need it. People here are extremelly helpfull in supported us with money food and medication. Not anyone can help with the problem but there are plenty who help in one way or another. I doubt it wether the goverment would do something to solve this problem, they haven't done it in the UK otherwise the RSPCA would have never existed. By the way back packers who are travelling to Vina del Mar, there is a guest house or hostal in Vina del Mar Recreo in a residential area in case you are looking for a place to stay. Is cheap, clean and completly renovated. It also has swimming pool and seaside view, the price per night is seven thousands pesos. For more information visit in google, Loft Del Mar. info@loftdelmar.cl the address is Camino Real 1524 Recreo Vina del Mar. From this city you can travell on the metro train to villages around, to the mountains and if you want to do camping in the Campana National Park just take the metro to Limache, from this lovely town you can catch a small bus to the compana, It cost 500 pesos. Jocelyn,
This is the first time i heard that someone from abroad is sending money to solve the problem with stray dogs, you do not have to do this if you feel so unconfortable, we do no need it.
People here are extremelly helpfull in supported us with money food and medication. Not anyone can help with the problem but there are plenty who help in one way or another.
I doubt it wether the goverment would do something to solve this problem, they haven’t done it in the UK otherwise the RSPCA would have never existed.
By the way back packers who are travelling to Vina del Mar, there is a guest house or hostal in Vina del Mar Recreo in a residential area in case you are looking for a place to stay. Is cheap, clean and completly renovated. It also has swimming pool and seaside view, the price per night is seven thousands pesos.
For more information visit in google, Loft Del Mar. info@loftdelmar.cl the address is Camino Real 1524 Recreo Vina del Mar. From this city you can travell on the metro train to villages around, to the mountains and if you want to do camping in the Campana National Park just take the metro to Limache, from this lovely town you can catch a small bus to the compana, It cost 500 pesos.

]]> By: Jocelyn http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-2053 Jocelyn Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:23:06 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-2053 So , anyone can at least help with this problem? Am from chile and i live in uk but am very tired of keep trying help street dogs,sending money,leaflets,food anything to help...we need more than words, we need action please. Also its a goverments responsabilities to educated people,sterelization and adoption...but with piraña its not chance to be succecfull. :( So , anyone can at least help with this problem? Am from chile and i live in uk but am very tired of keep trying help street dogs,sending money,leaflets,food anything to help…we need more than words, we need action please. Also its a goverments responsabilities to educated people,sterelization and adoption…but with piraña its not chance to be succecfull. :(

]]> By: Ilcia http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-1648 Ilcia Tue, 01 Mar 2011 20:02:29 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-1648 Dear Jeff Hicken, I'm sorry you felt so intimidated by our strays dogs in Chile but we do not believe in killing dogs by lethal injection only because they could not be adopted on kennels. We do have canine control programmes but they haven't been here long due to Pinochet's terrorist's dictartoship where the only solution to control the canine population was the killing. We do not need any suggestions about how to exterminate dogs in order to pleased turists with your mentality. Chile's main sustainable source is the export of Cooper and not tourism. I noticed in one of the lines that Jeff wrote,he mention that some of the strays dogs were mangy as this was a condition that really affected him emotionally. Let me tell you my dear friend that the so colled "mangy dogs you mention" are the healthiest dogs in nature because of their large genetics pool and the so colled pedigree are nothing more than a man made incest. We do not believe in killing any dog, we believe in taking care of them in the streets, meanwhile, we will continue working with our local authorities in educating people about responsable ownership. We Know it is possible to find a humane solution to this problem as is already taking place in a very interesting city called Quilpue where the local authorities has worked together with the comunity. In Quilpue you come across dogs walking placidly among shoppers carriying a collar with a card where the date of sterilization and treatments are printed on it. Ilcia from sunny Limache. Dear Jeff Hicken,
I’m sorry you felt so intimidated by our strays dogs in Chile but we do not believe in killing dogs by lethal
injection only because they could not be adopted on kennels.
We do have canine control programmes but they haven’t been here long due to Pinochet’s terrorist’s dictartoship where the only solution to control the canine population was the killing.
We do not need any suggestions about how to exterminate dogs in order to pleased turists with your mentality. Chile’s main sustainable source is the export of Cooper and not tourism.
I noticed in one of the lines that Jeff wrote,he mention that some of the strays dogs were mangy as this was a condition that really affected him emotionally.
Let me tell you my dear friend that the so colled “mangy dogs you mention” are the healthiest dogs in nature because of their large genetics pool and the so colled pedigree are nothing more than a man made incest.
We do not believe in killing any dog, we believe in taking care of them in the streets, meanwhile, we will continue working with our local authorities in educating people about responsable ownership.
We Know it is possible to find a humane solution to this problem as is already taking place in a very interesting city called Quilpue where the local authorities has worked together with the comunity.
In Quilpue you come across dogs walking placidly among shoppers carriying a collar with a card where the date of sterilization and treatments are printed on it.

Ilcia from sunny Limache.

]]> By: Tim http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-1626 Tim Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:21:30 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-1626 The strays of Santiago are part of the experience. There was a group who hung around out the front of our hotel and chased every car that went past, they never got hit though. Although the funniest was one that sat at one of the busy intersections and everytime it was time for pedestrians to cross he would walk across with them, wait on the other side and then cross back when it it changed again. All day! The strays of Santiago are part of the experience. There was a group who hung around out the front of our hotel and chased every car that went past, they never got hit though. Although the funniest was one that sat at one of the busy intersections and everytime it was time for pedestrians to cross he would walk across with them, wait on the other side and then cross back when it it changed again. All day!

]]> By: Matti http://davidlansing.com/the-strays-of-santiago/comment-page-1/#comment-1420 Matti Tue, 26 Oct 2010 20:58:23 +0000 http://davidlansing.com/?p=1435#comment-1420 Hi David, just read your story as I came back an hour ago from a meal I was invited to in the center of Santiago, close to the Palacio de Gobierno, where they are now showing the capsule used to save the miners. I was surprised by the number of dogs, but furthermore by the places they were resting at. Some of them close to the policemen, or in the middle of the sidewalks, and almost came to the conclusion they were police dogs in disguise... as they were adopting a proper stance for a police dog. On the other hand it amused me they way people related to them. I think tolerance to animals, must be pretty high. Tolerance, together with talent and technology are, according to professor Richard Florida, three key indicators of innovative cities and countries. Should we set up a stray dog index, resembling Big Mac's? Hi David,

just read your story as I came back an hour ago from a meal I was invited to in the center of Santiago, close to the Palacio de Gobierno, where they are now showing the capsule used to save the miners.

I was surprised by the number of dogs, but furthermore by the places they were resting at. Some of them close to the policemen, or in the middle of the sidewalks, and almost came to the conclusion they were police dogs in disguise… as they were adopting a proper stance for a police dog.

On the other hand it amused me they way people related to them. I think tolerance to animals, must be pretty high.

Tolerance, together with talent and technology are, according to professor Richard Florida, three key indicators of innovative cities and countries. Should we set up a stray dog index, resembling Big Mac’s?

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