Dogs, humans protest animal abuse in Bolivia
La Paz, Apr 1 (EFE).- Dogs and people as well as hundreds of police officials and activists marched on Friday in the Bolivian city of La Paz to protest against animal abuse.
The march was convened by units including the Forest and Environmental Police (Pofoma), the “Cabo Sanchez Villanueva” dog training center and the Civil Support Group for the Police, along with some animal defense organizations.
“No to animal abuse,” “let’s take care of the animals” were some of the slogans chanted by the demonstrators as they passed through the center of La Paz amid cheerful music by bands and some occasional barking by the dogs that accompanied them.
One of the most popular dogs was Sergeant Harry, a friendly golden retriever who led the dog training center group under the guidance of that unit’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel Luz Alaja.
“They (animals) cannot speak, we are against animal abuse, so we have to participate and call for awareness among the population, to take care of their pets, which is not only to have them for a while, they are not a toy, you have to take care of them, you have to take care of their health, their food and not leave them alone,” Alaja told EFE.
Many people, especially children, went to pet Harry and take pictures with the dog, whose specialty is canotherapy, according to the police official.
Along with Harry marched Corporal Federico, a brown Labrador, and Cobra, an imposing but affectionate Dobermann, among other canine agents.
The police officials, children and young people who are part of Gacip wore caps that had dog ears and masks that resembled Dalmatians.
A law in effect in Bolivia since 2015 punishes the killing of an animal with sentences of between two to five years in prison. EFE
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