HUNDREDS OF DOGS LIVE IN CHAINS AND MALNOURISHED IN THE CASTELEJO SITE

Tobi Hughes·
News Blog

According to the Madeiran association Ajuda a Alimentar Cães, the number of dogs that live in chains and in extreme conditions at the Castelejo site, in Câmara de Lobos, is in the hundreds.

The complaint, brought in this Sunday’s edition of Jornal Madeira, followed a rescue that was made last Friday and showed a dog who had lived for over 5 years homeless, chained and underfed.

Interestingly, this dog, which has earned the name Simon, was saved when the association was looking for another dog that supposedly also lives under the same conditions.

“In this area (Castelejo) we found hundreds of dogs in terrible conditions, unfortunately we could not save all,” said the association to JM, noting that, since the beginning of the year they have been rescued about 11 dogs, all in similar situations.

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Tobi Hughes

9 Responses

  1. I believe, the only way to make a change on this island it would be to make a campaign advising tourists of the reality of animals caused by the locals. The tourists all think it’s all good and colorful and that the locals are amazing, but the reality is different. Perhaps then the local government would act upon it, only if they lose the money of tourism. The only thing that matters here is money , so let’s speak their language.

  2. Sadly this is a problem across Madeira. I’ve seen many, many homes where several dogs are left outside with no kennel or bedding and are in poor condition too and dog mess everywhere. Some fly at the gate etc barking and look quite vicious. You can tell they have never been taken for walks, (not that there are any really places for dogs to have a good run), or had any attention of any kind. I find it very upsetting and distressing.

  3. CR7 could be used on RTP Madeira to promote awareness to animals, The young would follow his example. A few spare time and money to the cause would be to great effect.

  4. Why do people do this? Why keep loads of dogs and then maltreat them? What goes on in the minds of people who do this? I don’t particularly like dogs(I am a cat person) but I could never harm a dog.

  5. Quite agree with Pete
    It needs high profile person to promote animal
    welfare on the island and the younger generation
    I hope would take note.
    It’s to late to try and re-educate the older
    generations in the treatment of animals as it is
    what they grew up with. Unless the authorities
    are made or embarrassed into assisting the
    various animal charities things will not change,
    and Madeira will remain a third world country in
    it’s treatment especially of dogs and cats.
    This statement is a little harsh but in the 28years
    of visiting the island I have seen little improvement in
    animal welfare
    Obviously there are some superb animal owners
    on the island it is these people who should assist
    the relevant organisations and inform them its
    time to change!

  7. Maybe a petition by tourists would get the message across? This spoils an otherwise beautiful island

  8. We have been living here for twenty-two years and there has been a marked improvement in the Madeiran situation towards dogs. But whilst marked it is still a very long way from being good. We have two dogs we rescued from the street. One was lost, we suspect, from a street dog as a very young puppy. The other was microchipped and one can only presume it had misbehaved and the owner couldn’t be bothered to work through puppyhood. They are both about twelve years old. We have street dogs close to us that have a home but are allowed freedom all day long. There was a so called defence dog trainer down our street who kept a couple of really unfriendly German Shepherd type dogs. All frighteningly macho, anti-social and brain dead. He moved, thank God.
    The laws are changing to protect these animals but still we see too many that have a bad life. Their owners treat them as property and will probably never change. There are still shops that sell collars with the spikes on the inside. We know many Madeirans that love their animals. It is all very diverse. But at least there are no puppy farms here. There are about sixty practicing vets these days. All dogs are supposed to be registered at the local freguesias. Anti-rabies vaccination programme has been firmly in place for a quarter of a century. The pharmacies readily stock or can get in twenty four hours all medication.
    But getting the bad owners to wake up is as difficult as persuading shop owners to stop giving out plastic bags.

  9. People in Madeira, and in some other countries too, have not being educated about dogs. Dogs are not pets, they are to warn off people, and property, sadly. Not realising that they could be their best friend, loyal friend, people simply disregard the thought of love towards an animal. There should be law against it, after giving information and advice, there should be penalties. Majority of dogs will have little or no food for days, no water and never caring words..?

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