Baja peninsula, in its narrow glory, is geographically blessed with an abundance of unique beaches on both sides. Easy access to the ocean, dramatic sunsets, and dreamy morning strolls on the beach are all part of its benefits … until they are not.
On July 29, I was contacted by a concerned and fed-up Gavilan beach resident in Pescadero, on the Pacific side. Her local community has been dealing with an ongoing serious dog issue, a nightmare, which became too close to home for her when she and her baby were attacked by a pack of pet dogs during what was supposed to be a beach bonding time.
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She claimed that a pack of dogs, around 13 in total, owned by an expat couple, are being deliberately allowed and encouraged to roam unleashed on the public beach, attacking humans and other animals, and making going to the beach very unsafe and unpredictable for all.
Gavilan Beach also serves as a hatching haven for turtles, and they too are being victimized by the said pack of dogs. With attack intervals alarmingly increasing, the different local social media groups have far too many pictures of both cracked turtle eggs and dead turtles as a cry for help.
Fueled by the frustration of the aftermath of the attack, this mother contacted me in hopes of an article to raise awareness on this issue, an issue which is certainly not limited to her. As she puts it: “We’re not getting through to the authorities, so I think public pressure would be of use.”
As you have probably realized, I have purposefully omitted using the name of this young mother. She, along with the dozens of residents who subsequently spoke to me, were all terrified of being linked to this article given all the various problems that they have already faced in regard to this issue.
Between the first message and now, I have been contacted by over 25 different residents, expatriates, environmental groups and, most importantly, victims of these vicious dog attacks. While they were all eager to help and provide me with witness statements, pictures and other supporting documents as proof, they unanimously also wanted to remain anonymous. As frustrated as they all were with the lack of actions from the authorities, they all indicated their willingness to sign petitions toward a solution.
Their stories were all very similar, dating as far back as 2021.
“My husband and I have been circled by three aggressive dogs two different times… I have multiple friends who have been bitten in our town just walking around minding their own business. Some bites have been gruesome.”
“I recently scheduled a training session with the dog trainer here who has also been accosted many times. He’s showing me how to use a spray bottle with Apple Cider vinegar, a taser, and a stick! Crazy … Just to go to the beach.”
“We very rarely go to that beach anymore. If we go, I’ll have a bunch of rocks and mace. One of the other ladies here has a stun gun because she’s had run-ins with these dogs and I prefer walking with her.”
“My dogs have been attacked twice and both times I had a baby with me and it was absolutely terrifying. They are mean and vicious and sometimes come to my house.”
Attempts have been made by many to solve this issue. The attacks have been reported to the different relevant authorities over the last 3 years, many visits were made, and lots of conversations, yet no concrete action or solution came from any of them. In January of 2023, a group of residents started the process for a petition that eventually fell through.
Meanwhile, local NGOs and volunteers have also been patrolling the beaches in shifts in an attempt to protect and reduce the death tolls of the turtles. While these said dogs are not the only cause of death for the turtles, they are the culprits in many cases.
The owners of these dogs, a couple from the USA, were recently charged with a $10,000 pesos fine. It is the first in three years, amidst multiple complaints and reports to the authorities. This, while a first step, still leaves the residents facing the same issues.
I reached out to the dogs’ owners for their side of the story, but no answers from them to date.
This could be the story of any of our local beaches here in Baja.
As one resident said: “I am now highly anxious about walking on the beach or going to the beach with my child.” What are the avenues and solutions available to us in such situations? Residents in the area collectively fear that the final recourse will eventually come in the form of a fatal attack and they are collectively trying to prevent this from happening.”
Residents are asking for the authorities to take more permanent actions. As a resident pointed out: “There needs to be a leash law for dog owners on the beaches that is enforced. There also needs to be government intervention for aggressive street dogs.”
I conferred with a local lawyer for this article. He pointed out that he was discussing this case with other local colleagues of his, and they agreed that this would never be a concern amongst predominantly Mexicans residents, let alone it still being a problem three years later. In his view, vigilantism would have won this one.
This is also the thoughts of many others I spoke to.
Whether it is vigilantism that wins or that the local authorities enforce a proven solution is yet to be seen. Regardless, this community deserves their voice to be heard and more awareness on this issue needs to be raised. If you have any thoughts or solutions on this story, they are welcome. Currently, this is still an ongoing issue, so to be continued… naailah@gringogazette.com
