As new cases of dog poisoning have cropped up in Ajijic and spread to San Antonio Tlayacapan, an ad hoc citizen’s committee acting in defense of the victims and their masters is stepping up pressure on local authorities to get cracking on the alarming crime wave.
Committee representatives led by spokesperson Lina Doyle sensed official indifference when they showed up for a pre-arranged appointment with Chapala Mayor Javier Degollado on Wednesday, March 15 and were told he was tied up in another meeting.
They were eventually received by city councilor Alberto Alcantar, who launched into a spiel on the animal protection regulatory code he is masterminding for the local government. The initiative is languishing through a lengthy a review and approval process that could continue for several months prior to implementation.
Arriving on his heels was City Hall legal counselor Oscar España, who took charge of the encounter to hear out the citizens’ concerns. Half an hour later Police Chief Adán Dominguez entered the fray. Both men made a valiant effort to reassure the group that the local government is aware of the extent of the problem and committed to dealing with it in an effective matter.
The advocates pointed out that while canine deaths continue to mount in Ajijic, at least six dogs have perished to the same fate in San Antonio over the past week.
They also called attention to a half-dozen criminal complaints lodged with district attorneys at the Ministerio Público (MP). Others are still pending.
Doyle has registered about 25 confirmed poisonings since last August. Second-hand anecdotal accounts lead her to believe the true number now exceeds 60.
Dominguez stated that the police department has received only four reports, but was quick to say that precise numbers are not what matters, acknowledging that there is a real problem that must be addressed. He pledged to work closely with MP officials to develop a specific protocol for handling animal killings.
The public is advised to immediately report suspected poisonings and detection of suspicious food matter to police headquarters at 765-4444 or 911. If officers do not respond promptly, call Doyle at 33-1350-4122 (cell) so she can get the chief on top of the situation.