Satos
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Sato is a Puerto Rican slang term referring to the feral dogs that inhabit its major cities. They are also known as 'Puerto Rican Found Dogs' in the United States. In Puerto Rico's metropolitan areas, satos can be found living in alleyways, under cars, and between refuse cans. Because of satos' out-of-control numbers and people's view of them as a public menace and health hazard, they are often the victims of abuse such as burning and drowning.
While satos do come in a variety of shapes and sizes, there is some uniformity in their appearance and demeanor. They tend to be small to medium sized, with the largest ones weighing about forty pounds. Their ears are either pointy, as a terrier's are, or similar to a beagle's. They have pronounced snouts and thick, short-haired coats. Their features result from years of unchecked breeding amongst a variety of mixed breeds, but there is a distinct lack of qualities found among toy breeds. Most satos are the result of breeding from working and hunting dogs. Because they are mixed breeds, most satos are intelligent, good-natured, and healthy animals when properly cared for.[citation needed] They also make excellent nanny dogs and interact well with small children.[citation needed]
The organization Save a Sato Foundation is dedicated to rescuing abused and abandoned satos and finding homes for them. Because of this organization's efforts in placing the dogs and raising awareness about them, satos are becoming more and more popular pets in the United States and have been adopted as far away as Southern France. In December 1999, the foundation arranged for four sato puppies to be sent from Puerto Rico to a humane society in Orlando, Florida which would arrange for them to be adopted.[1]
Also see
References
- ^ Freeman, Doreen (December 26, 1999). [Save A Sato Foundation "PUPPY LOVE STRAY DOGS - SATOS - HAVE LITTLE HOPE OF FINDING HOMES IN PUERTO RICO. SAVE A SATO ARRANGES ADOPTIONS IN FLORIDA AND ELSEWHERE"]. Orlando Sentinel - Orlando, Fla. p. K.8. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
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- Navarro, Mireya (January 6, 1998). "Puerto Rico Tackles Issue Of Stray Dogs' Suffering". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-11-13.
- Libow, Gary (Jan 3, 1998). "HELPING PUERTO RICO DEAL WITH STRAY DOGS ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER FROM STATE TAKING PART". Hartford Courant - Hartford, Conn. p. B.1. Retrieved 2009-11-13.