Dogs classified as “PPP” and ound without a lease or muzzle can be impounded by the police
Pitbull, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Boxer, Bull Terrier, Doberman, among others, are classified as PPP.
Sofia Medeles (Ajijic Jal.)– In the last six months at least three cases have been reported of attacks on humans by the so-called PPP, (Perros Potencialmente Peligrosos), dog breeds. In response, Ana Luisa Maldonado, head of the Animal Protection Office of the municipality of Chapala has announced that her office will enforce the obligations of the owners of PPP dogs.
PPP (or PDD in English) is derived from the Spanish Royal Decree 287/2002 that has been used in several Latin American countries to designate breeds with characteristics that can represent a danger due to injury or even death to humans because of their strength, energy, and aggressive character. PPP breeds include Pitbull Terrier and all its variations, the Rottweiler, Doberman, Dogo Argentino, Boxer, Mastiffs, Dogue de Bordeaux, Akita Inu, Fila Brasileiro, Bull Terrier, and any other dog with the PPP characteristics.
The Director of Ecology, José Jaime Ibarra, and the head of the Animal Protection Office, Ana Luisa Maldonado, explained that the danger with this type of breeds comes mainly from the lack of training of the owners about their dogs, and by the owners of the dogs.
Three of the most serious incidents in the municipality have occurred with Pitbull dogs; in one incident, the Pitbull was mortally wounded by the owner of another dog that it allegedly assaulted; in the second incident an aggressive dog killed a puppy; and in the third, a dog brutally bit an elderly woman in San Antonio Tlayacapan.
The obligations for the owners of these dogs are three: to keep them muzzled while in public spaces, not to remove the leash at any time while walking with them, and finally to register this type of dog in the Ecology Department so it can better monitor the population and behavior of each one.
Ana Luisa Maldonado said that in the coming months, PPP dogs that do not comply with the established rules will be cited and the municipal police will be able to remove them from their owners.
The trials of the owners of the dogs involved in three incidents have been moving slowly, according to Maldonado, because of witnesses, victims and owners who do «not want to get in trouble» so they distort their testimony. The judge involved, Judge Guillermo Hernandez, has been accused of errors and omissions in the case of the puppy named Alexa, and Ecology Director Jose Jaime said that the judge was sanctioned with a suspension of activities without pay.
Meanwhile, in the Department’s dog shelter there are 8 pit bulls in rehabilitation after they were assaulted and are not considered dangerous. However, because the shelter is staffed by older adults, the dogs represent a problem when dealing with them due to their size and strength, so Ana Luisa Maldonado wants to set up an exclusive space for PPP dogs where they can coexist and interact properly.
Both José Jaime Ibarra, and Anna Luisa Maldonado stress that it is urgent to de-stigmatize these breeds and educate the population regarding dogs in general, because problems with dogs always come from the lack of respect for pets. «A dog is a reflection of the owners and the situation of their home, we must start with education to eradicate any kind of problem,» they said. Translated by Patrick O’Heffernan
Los comentarios están cerrados.
© 2016. Todos los derechos reservados. Semanario de la Ribera de Chapala