According to Dr. Enrique A. Morales of the Centro Antirrabico Nacional, there are around 700,000 dogs in the Dominican Republic, or 10 dogs per 100 people, including 50,000 stray dogs in the capital. Dr. Morales points out that many dog owners do not have their pets vaccinated, and that the strays represent a health danger to citizens.
The solution of having “dog catchers” is too expensive, according to Dr. Morales, and although there are official orders for the Sanitation and Environmental Commission of the city council to pick up stray animals very little action has been taken.
Stray dogs in the D.R. are generally not aggressive, they just spend their time looking for food and usually finding it among uncollected rubbish on the streets. Many of the dogs suffer from health problems of their own, and it is suggested that one not go near or touch them.
Most animals with a pedigree are trained as watchdogs, such as German Shepherds (Alsatians) and Dobermans, which are usually confined on their owners’ properties.