Packs of wild dogs????

[Musicman]

I have read somewhere in a couple of restaurant reviews and elsewhere about Aruba having packs of wild dogs roaming around and that they WILL attack people. Can someone fill me in on this? I'm a cat lover. Dogs make me nervous. A threatening pack of wild dogs would send me into a panic attack!
Thanks for your input.
Musicman

[Bill]

Seen wild dogs but never a pack. They seemed either friendly or more scared of you but always be cautious.

[Arubalisa]

Believe half of what you read.

[~Amy~®]

Packs of wild dogs?!? First time I've ever head that one and I've been going to the island since '96.

I have seen a stray dog or two over the years but they're generally pretty friendly (and sometimes are not strays at all, they're just out exploring - not all pets in Aruba will have a collar).

[Andrea J.]

no packs of wild dogs


closest i have seen is.............and i am smiling about it.
we were on a horseback ride thru a neighborhood.
(husband, son aged 13 or 14 at the time and me)

riding on one of the roads behind the old conucu house towards the marriott .

a family of dogs, 3 beagles came charging out of a driveway and 2 of them attached themselves to my son's horse's tail.

horse bolted and we caught up with kevin and the 2 dogs up at the wetlands across from the marriott. dogs held on real well.

so the dog lovers that we are, hubby and i each scooped up a beagle, rode it back to its home and delivered back to the driveway. dear son and rancho elpaso guide, were none too happy that we took the detour.

packs of dogs no.

occasional strays yup.

leash law................nope, well maybe ...but unenforced.
andrea

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

no packs of wild dogs


closest i have seen is.............and i am smiling about it.
we were on a horseback ride thru a neighborhood.
(husband, son aged 13 or 14 at the time and me)

riding on one of the roads behind the old conucu house towards the marriott .

a family of dogs, 3 beagles came charging out of a driveway and 2 of them attached themselves to my son's horse's tail.

horse bolted and we caught up with kevin and the 2 dogs up at the wetlands across from the marriott. dogs held on real well.

so the dog lovers that we are, hubby and i each scooped up a beagle, rode it back to its home and delivered back to the driveway. dear son and rancho elpaso guide, were none too happy that we took the detour.

packs of dogs no.

occasional strays yup.

leash law................nope, well maybe ...but unenforced.
andrea

That's a real funny story Andrea.

[Liz - Aruba Lover]

I've been going to Aruba since '85 and never seen a pack of wild dogs either. The road going to Madame Janettes has alot of dog roaming around in front of the houses. Wild - no.

[Arubalisa]

While we are on the subject of dogs, does anyone believe that some of the dogs which we see and think are strays are actually owned and cared for by someone? Kind of like some cats, are left to live outdoors and stroll home to be fed?

[Andrea J.]

yes i believe that the majority of dogs in aruba are not strays.

these are dogs that spend most of their time outdoors.....sleeping in the shade on their property or in their neighborhoods.

in aruba and in many countries of the world dogs and cats are treated like animals.

no pampering

no cushy life

they are fed and watered

they serve a purpose to guard their master's home.

in fact some arubans have INDOOR and OUTDOOR dogs.......one is to lead a cushy life and the other is to do a job.

i treat my dog as if she is the "christchild" so for me to be writing this in defense of dogs being outside is a stretch for me.

and.......the whole spay neutor thing is very controversial to residents.
they have no problem with spaying it is the neutoring that is perceived as demoralizing and inhumane.

so if/when we judge the life of aruban animals we have to remember our traditional differences.

i support the Animal Rights Aruba and all that they do to educate and help.

andrea

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

While we are on the subject of dogs, does anyone believe that some of the dogs which we see and think are strays are actually owned and cared for by someone? Kind of like some cats, are left to live outdoors and stroll home to be fed?

[Musicman]

"My boyfriend and I were looking for local art, and we ended up dining there at the same time. The owner was sooo nice. The atmosphere so authentic. NOt only was the food beautifully presented and delicious, but you get a side plate of little specialties like polenta and plantains, which was better than anywhere on the island. In fact, we went back a few nights later just to get directions to go somewhere else because we were lost and wanted to try different restaurants nearby, and the owners were nice enough to help us get somewhere else. unfortunately, we should have stayed at Gasparito as we were almost truthfully attacked by a pack of dogs. The owner advised us not to walk on our own, but we didn't listen. anyway, it was our favorite restaurant from our trip, and we cherish the two paintings we bought there as well."

This was one example of what I read while looking through restaurant reviews.
I feel a lot more comfortable after getting your feedback...thanks so much.
You can see that this quote would be a bit concerning to someone who has never been a dog person. Of course I'd be a bit concerned had I read that packs of cats were attacking people as well! Or goats....or donkeys...or lions and tigers and bears...Oh My!
Musicman