Puerto Rican Animal Groups Working to Change Attitudes

OK, I've been a little harsh on the Puerto Ricans lately. There are many people that care about animals and work for groups like Hands for Paws, Amigos de los Animales, and Island Dog. These are people truly on the front lines.

Reader Ginny, who works with Hands for Paws pointed out that they are working hard to change cultural attitudes and prevent animal overpopulation. After going to the Azores and watching my wife's cousin beat the crap out of his dog to "make him a better guard dog", I know that cultural attitudes can be a huge obstacle. Her cousin said he loved his dog and considered himself an animal lover. The dog was kept chained in the yard all the time.

I hope that the negative publicity Puerto Rico has received over the animal deaths will do something to change public policies (meaning government policies) in a meaningful way. And this is a problem worldwide. I'm fortunate to live in a city like Seattle that's been relatively successful in breaking out of the old Dog Catcher mold. But, there are many communities in the US that don't have such an enlightened outlook.