Dead Dog Beach

Located on the southeastern coast of Puerto Rico, in the town of Yabucoa, Dead Dog Beach is a place where animals are often abandoned, sometimes poisoned, shot, etc. In 2002, the PR Hotel and Tourism Association found that the island loses $5 million a year because of the stray cat and dog problem. After years of international outrage from animal welfare advocates, the government is finally taking action to correct the problem. $1.5 million will be used to start shelters; police will be trained in how to handle pet cruelty cases; and the tourism agency has formed an Animal Welfare Committee to pressure the government to continue action. The photo is of street dogs in Barceloneta, PR. International Herald Tribune article