A group of 15 stray dogs has emerged as a concern in the Hoya de Manzaneros region within the Tenerife municipality of Tacoronte. Reports of attacks by these dogs on other canines and humans have been received for some months, but the most critical incident took place this Saturday: A few members of this pack unexpectedly attacked a Breton dog in front of its owner, resulting in injuries so severe that veterinarians were unable to save its life.
Following this incident, the owner of the deceased dog, Paloma Ferrer, has launched a social media campaign aimed at removing this pack from the vicinity and ensuring these animals receive care from shelters. “I can no longer do anything for Crag, which is the name of my dog, but I at least hope that the relevant authorities will intervene to ensure that this does not occur again. I am still in shock over what happened to Crag, who I regarded as my child. I hope this doesn’t reoccur,” states Ferrer.
The events took place this Saturday when Paloma, a La Laguna resident, visited the Lomo de La Jara recreational area with a friend to walk their dogs, situated in a pine forest in Tacoronte. They had parked in the rural area characterised by scattered homes in Hoya de Manzaneros.
Risco, the dog who passed away this Saturday due to an attack by a pack of stray dogs in Tacoronte. / The Day
“I frequently visited this location to walk with Crag. On Saturday, we returned. Everything was proceeding smoothly. We were heading back to the car. I had the dog on a long lead, as he is quite lively, and I prefer to give him some freedom. He ventured towards some bushes and, out of nowhere, they attacked him. It happened very swiftly. I barely had time to respond. My friend managed to leave his dog in the car and quickly ran to the bushes, yelling to scare off the attacking dogs. These retreated upon hearing his voice, but the harm was already inflicted,” recalls Paloma.
It was too late. “I am unsure how many attacked: three, four… The only thing I know is that when we found Crag, he had severe injuries all over and was losing an alarming amount of blood.” Paloma rushed Crag, her four-year-old black Brittany spaniel, to a veterinary centre in Tacoronte. They were unable to treat him there, so they proceeded to another centre in La Laguna, called Cruz de Piedra. There, the veterinarians did everything possible to save him, but he suffered cardiac arrest and sadly passed away.
Paloma Ferrer with Risco. / The Day
Paloma Ferrer contacted the Tacoronte City Council. There, she was referred to Seprona, the Civil Guard’s Nature Protection Service. In response, they indicated that this matter was not their responsibility. She was advised to reach out to the City Council. Consequently, she visited the office on Monday afternoon to file the necessary complaint.
In fact, The City Council had already been aware of this issue prior to the incident involving Crag. The Council Woman for Animal Welfare, Magdalena Ávila, acknowledges that she had received reports of similar attacks leading to injuries to other dogs since the middle of last year in the same vicinity: Hoya de Manzaneros. The first formal complaint was lodged on November 18, when a neighbour reported that this group of dogs had attacked their pet and caused injuries.
The Department estimates there are 15 stray dogs that attack in groups. They claim that, due to the City Council’s limited resources to capture the dogs, they have requested assistance from the Cabildo of Tenerife, Seprona, and animal shelters. Seprona stated that it is not their responsibility, while the Cabildo offered to increase surveillance in this area of Tacoronte municipality. However, this is insufficient.
Lomo de La Jara recreational area, in Tacoronte. / The Day
According to municipal sources, the councillor has been in discussions with animal shelters for weeks to find a solution to the issue. The Association for the Defence and Protection of Animals of the Canary Islands (Adepac), which operates a shelter in Ravelo within the municipality of El Sauzal, has expressed their willingness to care for some of these dogs. Yet, they lack the resources to care for approximately 15 dogs in this pack. Thus, the Tacoronte City Council is seeking support from other organisations.
Paloma remains hopeful a solution will be found so that “at the very least, my suffering from the loss of Crag will help prevent this from happening again.” She desires that these dogs not be euthanised but that a resolution is reached to ensure they are removed from the area where they cause harm and are provided care by professionals. She stresses that “they not only target other dogs, but also pose a risk to people. Imagine if they were to attack a child from a family visiting the area, just like we did, to enjoy a day in nature.” “Finding an urgent solution would be the best legacy for Crag,” she concludes.
