News - 2007...A Letter From a Tourist    

July 2007

Simone from Luxembourg...

Hello members of Pro Animal, 

I have been on Gomera for about a week and have twice seen a dog on the end of a chain, that I can't seem to get out of my head. 

When you travel from Hermigua towards Vallehermosa, about 10Km before you enter Vallehermosa, just before a sign to Tamargada (km 34 / 713), is a closed quarry.  Because this height offered a really good view we stopped.  Under a balcony (of some type) laid a big, lonely dog on the end of a chain.  For many km's in all directions there wasn't a house in sight.  Nor was there food or water to be seen.  As we came nearer the dog, he quickly became frightened, tucked his tail between his legs, became apathetic and started to shake all over.  This picture will not leave my head.  Possibly not much can be done since this is most likely private land, but I, at least, wanted to report the incident.  I hope that you can help the poor animal.  

Please write back.

Simone

Dominique writes... 

And once more we ask ourselves…What can we do?  We have called the Guardia Civil and the local police but nobody knows exactly which whos responsibility it is.   And if, as a miracle, we are given that dog, where do we put him?  Our shelter is still a project and the only few foster homes that we have cannot take care of a big “shocked” dog …

However, we ask you all to do like Simone and help us by reporting these abuse cases.  Notify the Guardia Civil, City Hall or any center of tourist information…If our animals rights are not respected for compassion maybe the authorities will react if they lose tourists on Gomera because of those terrible scenes...