Even before the economic crisis Tenerife’s animal  shelters struggled to feed the animals they had in their charge. Now though, in the current economic climate things are even worse and the need for funds to care for the animals that have been abandoned or have strayed is desperate.

The shelters are already full to bursting and yet they are somehow supposed to struggle on with more animals in their care and no funding. The shelters have no more room and no more money. They need help – and they get next to none of that from the government here in Tenerife.

The shelters raise money through charity events, car boot sales and by donations. If you can help in any way, please call K9 on 608 121 081 (Eng) or 670 845 243 (Esp).

Tenerife’s abandoned dogs have their own blog which publishes news on current events, forthcoming fundraisers, etc. If you want more information on the various shelters, vets, trainers, dog kennels, Tenerife Dogs is the place to go.

So there we were, obviously a shifty looking crew, me, two kids, a grandmother and a big daft dog with a halter-type face mask on. We were plodding along the street at snail’s pace, the dog, huge as he is was neither pulling nor showing any interest in anything other than his ‘weans’ as he likes to keep an eye on them when they are gadding about.

On the other side of the street, a wee hairy mop of a dog was yapping its head off and slinging bribes in our direction, but Tito, to his credit, didn’t blink an eye at it.

That didn’t stop a police car from coming to a stop a couple of feet ahead of us and the coppers inside it, giving me a stern talking to about the fact the dog didn’t have a muzzle on. Actually the face mask he was wearing gives me more control than a muzzle would and also effectively pulls his mouth shut if there were to be any trouble. The pc on the other side of the car got our and bobbed about shouting that this was a dangerous dog. “No, he’s not!” my mother scoffed while Tito threw himself to the ground with a huge sigh of boredom.

Only a couple of days before an elderly lady had been mugged in the area by three local boys on a scooter. One got her round the neck, while a second grabbed her bag. In total they got away with about €150 in booty but they left the woman feeling very shaky and upset. Worst of all is that the locals say even the police know who the wee thugs are but can’t touch them because they are under 16.

Meanwhile, Tito’s eyes had glazed over and he rolled on his side totally disgusted with this interruption to our pleasant family walk. We were finally let off the hook after being threatened with a steep fine and assorted dire penalties if the dog was not wearing a muzzle the next time they saw me with him.

Do you think it would have made a difference if I told the police that Tito was under 16?

You would think that as the government seems committed to doing absolutely nothing to stem the burgeoning number of abandoned, neglected, maltreated and unwanted dogs in the south of Tenerife that it would at least go out of its way to support local charities that have been set up to do so.

Unfortunately that is not the case and while dog sanctuaries in the south cry out for facilities and funding, the government  sees fit to remove 60 dogs from local dog home where they were receiving water, food, shelter and shade. They were not living in the lap of luxury that is true. But they were loved and cared for, off the streets and fed. Owner of Dingo Dogs, Phil Nelson also does not live in the lap of luxury because every last penny he earns goes to feed and shelter his beloved dogs.

The dogs were removed from Phil, in a scene that must have been traumatic for everyone involved, transported to a  goat pen with little shade and no food or water and left there in the baking heat. One dog was dead within an hour. Live Arico were called in to help and a temporary sanctuary has been found for the dogs. They will have to move within 21 days but for now, they are out of the sun and being fed and watered.

The full story can be found on Tenerife Dogs- the website for all the island’s abandoned dogs – and here below is a video showing Phil Nelson and Dingo’s Dogs before the government’s hack-handed interference:

There can’t be many worse things for an animal than to be left by its beloved owner in a car  on sweltering hot summer day to slowly bake to death.  You would think a trained dog handler would know better but  not in Nottinghamshire where two police dogs were found dead in their handler’s car. In the middle of a heatwave.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Davies commented “This is a tragic incident and we value the important work our police dogs carry out on a daily basis,”

Not enough to ensure that they are given water and a cool and ventilated place to wait for their handler apparently.

This sickening incident is a reminder to us all that dogs cannot be left in cars for very long in hot climates. Here in Tenerife it does not take much time at all for the interior of a car to heat up in the summer months – even if the car is parked in the  shade. If you think you are going to have to leave Rover in the Rover for any length of time, maybe it would be best to leave  the hound at home.

Meet Basil. He’s the new spokesmutt for Tenerife’s many abandoned and homeless dogs and the go to dog for information of charity events and news about the dog organisations.

You can keep up to date with Basil and his buddies at Tenerife Dogs where you’ll also find all the contact details you need to adopt, foster, donate or disseminate (information).

I am delighted that a report by activists SIRIUS has brought the impact of animal husbandry on the island on tourists to the attention of the government. Apparently Tenerife is seen as ‘third-world’ for its treatment of animals. Okay.

I wonder though about the extent of cruelty that was inflicted on the fat, wistful beagle mix that Canarias 24 Hora used to adorn their report. If you wanted to be realistic about it I am sure K9 or Live Arico could supply a heartbreaking number of photographs of abandoned and maltreated animals that would be a better representation of animal cruelty on the island.

Hell. I could provide a better photo myself using a picture given to me by a friend who bought an abused dog off a bar owner.

Thanks to Pamela Heywood (who has a spooky ability to know everything) for the head’s up on this article and to Perikles for reporting it on Tenerife Forum in the first place.

Every dog lover must have his day and if you are within striking distance of Los Gigantes on Sunday then the Live Arico Fun Dog Show will make yours. Expect lots of fun and games and all in a very good cause.

You’d have to be barking not to go really. For more information you can call Eugenio on 649001907 for information or info@livearico.org.