SeaUrchin

Hi, I was just looking at the LA Times website and found this article:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwo...&cset=true

It aims at protecting animal rights. From not keeping a goldfish in a plastic bag or tiny bowl to giving legal recognition to Rome's famous gattare, the cat ladies who feed stray cats. Shelters will no longer euthanize animals.

So while we are visiting Rome if we witness animal abuse we can report it now, but how they are going to enforce it is anyone's guess.

I would have liked to report the man across from Torre Argentina who forces his little dog to hold his head down for hours on end so people will pity the dog and give him some money.

LoveItaly

Hi SeaUrchin, Rome also passed a law requiring dog owners to walk their dogs. They can be fined if the don't. Know how in heck that is going to be enforced is beyond anyones guess also. But guess the authorities figure they will have the law on their side if there is blatent animal abuse. I am sorry to say that Italians are not known for generally being good pet owners. Thousand of dogs are dumped on the side of roads each year, for example, when families take off on their vacations.

Can you believe, it is almost Thanksgiving weekend!!! The holiday's are arriving fast. Take good care.

Marilyn

Does Animal Planet know about this yet? Because Animal Cops could do a season in Rome, couldn't they?

Seriously, that is great news.

ParadiseLost

"I would have liked to report the man across from Torre Argentina who forces his little dog to hold his head down for hours on end so people will pity the dog and give him some money."

SeaUrchin, On the sidewalk next to the tram stop?
If so make that 'men' (at least 2), they change shifts with the same dog/same location.

Perhaps from my posts you know I'm a bit of a history geek .
I sit in the Roman Forum or at the Largo di Torre Argentina to relax .

And I have seen them switch places a couple of times when the other person shows up.

And you are correct, the dog is sadly just their prop.

And I don't even what to know what methods these losers use to keep their dogs docile *all* day long.

My favorite 'Cat Lady' is the one between the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.
She feeds the cats thru the fence around the 'Temple of Venus and Roma' and along the (so called) Via Sacra leading up to the 'Arch of Titus'.
She does leave a plate out for donations but seems completely sincere in her love and caring for the cats in that area.
Regards, Walter

SeaUrchin

Sadly, Walter, yes that is the same man (men). It almost ruined our trip to Rome this last time. The little dog looked up and the man scolded him and made him look down again. I was on the verge of scooping up the dog and running off with him. He has the sweetest face, it upsets me to think about how he is treated, made to sit up straight and look sadly down all day. I guess if they drug their children while they are begging they will drug their captive animals too. Sickening and nothing is done about it.

I saw the Cat Lady too and tried to focus on her goodness to get the little dog's fate out of my mind.

SeaUrchin

Hi, too, Loveitaly and Marilyn, yes I think it is a step in the right direction.