Chileans protest dog euthanasia plan

A move to euthanize Chile’s stray dogs has generated plenty of controversy and ire among lovers of “man’s best friend.”

Chile’s legislature is currently debating the bill whose proponents claim will remove the health hazard that are stray and lost dogs. “Euthanasia will only apply to sick dogs and those abused by people” claimed the head of the Senate health panel that's arguing the government-supported proposal. The bill also provides funds for provinces to carry out euthanasia against dogs and grants police wider authority to decide which dogs need to be exterminated.

Chilean animal rights organizations have vehemently denounced the proposal and made their voices heard:

Thirty protestors rallied in front of the La Moneda presidential palace and carried out mock dog euthanasia while covered in plastic bags and red paint.

For Proanimal Chile president Patricia Cocas, the proposal contradicts a measure passed earlier this month for the protection of animals…

“The Health Ministry wants to dump their duties on municipalities without the funds to carry out such a responsibility and pretend that they can go on with the mass extermination of animals” assured Cocas.

According to the government there are over three million dogs in Chile and most of them live in the streets.

Image- El Martutino
Online Sources- El Mercurio Online, EFE, CNN Chile

Today’s Video: Puppy chow

Welcome to Mexico City where, if you have the means, you can take your pet pooch to an upscale bistro and nosh on gourmet delicacies:

We’ll let you decide if the “Bow Wow Deli” concept is cute or cringe worthy.

Online Sources- YouTube

Peruvian breed to be “First Puppy”?

Some stories speak for themselves:

Peruvians crazy about their national dog, a bald and often toothless breed popular among Incan kings, offered on Monday to send a hypoallergenic puppy to the Obama family.

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has promised daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, a new pet for the White House. But Malia is allergic to most breeds, he said on Friday as speculation swirled about the dog the family would choose.

Owners of the Peruvian Hairless Dog, a breed dating back 3,000 years and depicted in pre-Hispanic ceramics, say it is perfect for kids who are sensitive to dogs.

"They do not cause any type of allergy and are very friendly and sweet," said Claudia Galvez, 38, director of the Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Association.

One question: will the dog bite?

Image- MSNBC (“Josh, left, and his mother, Jala, stand at the Huaca Pucllana archeological site in Lima, Peru. They are Peruvian Hairless Dogs, an ancient species that was nearly wiped out.”)
Sources- Reuters UK, NBC New York