Hi
As you may have guessed, I am deeply involved in my local community here for 7.5 years, from the day I arrived. Its just what I do. The history and culture of the Spanish is multi-faceted, which is important when trying to educate the locals about cruelty. I have volunteered with several organisations here, and now work independently in rescue, often shipping strays out of the country to great homes throughout the EU. I began my work with dogs in 1990, when I learned about respect for animals. We definitely have our share of issues here in Spain, with dogs hanging in trees when the hunters are done with them at the end of the season (yes, this is true) and the massive amount of pitbulls being used for fighting, sometimes even the local police or government officals are invovled. The amount of poisonings is very hard to fathom, each summer especially, dogs are baited and trapped, many of them in their own private gardens, there are too many dog haters here. Dogs go missing all the time, but only the little ones, and many of us know why. However, the situation has really improved thanks to the expat community, with which I am very much involved. I blame the government for not having done more with education, but so it goes in all the countries. I had visions of remaining in contact with my local team of rescue volunteers, and finding good homes in Switzerland. (The amount of abandoned dogs down here is epidemic). But now I can see there are too many problems over dogs in Switzerland as well, although of a different kind.

I read an article about the Swiss eating dogs, is this for real? The more I research, the stranger Switzerland becomes. I am shocked, and somewhat dubious about this, it just seems impossible that a country with such a world class reputation could still practice this. Apparently it is not against the law to eat cats and dogs, only to sell them. I am sorry I do not have a link to support this. Or, when I get back home I can find the article and post it here (I am travelling at the minute). But then, I suppose I already know how false reputations can be, especially when it comes to dangerous breeds, which do not physically exist. I can explain that later, if people wouldnt mind my indulgence. I am deeply concerned over the general attitude about dogs that seems to be growing out of proportion here in the EU, and now apparently in Switzerland. I say educate, then legislate. I am very sad that I have given up my desire to live there, it is truly a heart break for me. I have planned nearly every stage of the move, have already packed my house, and have already found an apartment and good job leads. I have already found CDs on speaking Swiss German. Maybe someday this will simmer down, and I will keep my eye on this for sure. But until then, I would never risk my boy´s life knowing the consequences of failing a temperament test. I am sure he would fail, rightly so. I cannot deem him to be aggressive for defending himself against an attack by a perfect stranger. Good luck to all of you!