Forty dogs removed from cruel conditions in Latvia

Ivars Koloda, head of the PVD’s North Kurzeme Regional Office, explained that residents had reported on social media the large number of dogs in the garden of a house in Dundaga. An inspection revealed that the owner of the property had been keeping around 40 Alaskan Malamutes of various ages and genders, whilst some of these large animals were housed in very small cages, typically used for short-term transport. A decision has been taken to initiate administrative proceedings for cruelty to animals. The owner was already known to the PVD, as the service had inspected the property four years ago. At that time, local residents had complained about noise. The PVD identified breaches relating to the dogs’ vaccination and registration, but no welfare issues were reported at the time.