Authorities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife have filed a report against a 28-year-old woman for abandoning her pet dog over five months ago. The dog has been staying at the Valle Colino shelter since then, as it was discovered by an off-duty officer in the parking lots of Las Teresitas beach.
The owner of the dog, of a ‘pit bull’ breed, has persistently refused to resolve the situation, as per sources from the local police.
The animal was rescued last November after being found on a steep slope near the beach. Staff from the regional shelter, in collaboration with the National Police, had to sedate the dog due to the challenges in reaching it and its agitated state.
Upon reaching the shelter, the owner was identified through the chip, and it was confirmed that she had not reported the dog missing to any relevant agency.
The shelter staff contacted the owner, who claimed to be unaware of the pet’s disappearance and said she would retrieve it. However, she failed to do so as she did not possess the required license to keep a potentially dangerous dog in such circumstances.
Despite numerous attempts to reach the owner to obtain the necessary documentation and license, she remained elusive.
Subsequently, she was contacted by the National Police, warning her of the repercussions if she did not address the situation promptly.
The fate of the dog remains uncertain, and the Santa Cruz Local Police have initiated formal proceedings under the Animal Welfare Law. The owner could face a fine ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 euros.
Moreover, since the animal is still in the temporary shelter area, it cannot be adopted by another family until this matter is resolved.
