Monday, October 19, 2009

Response from the Riu Funana Hotel Sal Cabo Verde

An email from Riu head office & an attachment. Please note that my surname is not Costello.

"We were also very disappointed to read certain comments from you about RIU in the media which were also expressed towards our partners, both were neither appropriate nor correct.
We have always been very proud about our collaboration and it was very confusing to us to note how this matter was handled.
We saw us obliged to explain the real facts due to the defaming and attacking character of the communication initiated by you."

Poisoning of stray dogs in SAL

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are confronted with several very unpleasant and defaming publications about poisoning of stray dogs in Sal, Cape Verde.
These are the facts:
In the recent past we experienced an increasing number of attacks of wild / stray dogs. Riu clients were attacked while walking at the beach. Employees were bitten while cleaning the beach. Finally the attack on a guest’s child convinced us that the risk for our guests caused by these massive dog attacks was no longer tolerable. We informed the authorities of the country and asked them to take care of the safety of our common clients and other people. We owe this to our guests and employees. At the same time we do respect and act conforming the rules and regulations of the country.
Our decision to inform the authorities was appropriate. We would have done it in any other country too.

STATEMENT:
We are not aware of any organized poisoning nor did we blame any institution of doing so. RIU has clearly defined values. Respectful treatment of animals belongs to them. No need to record that we are neither interested in killing animals nor to expose our clients to animal cadavers on the beach where they are supposed to enjoy their best holidays ever.
We deeply regret the tragic death of Rasher, Mrs Costello’s dog. There is every sympathy with the emptiness and sadness she must feel after losing a lifetime friend especially in this awful way.
Every loss of a beloved is tragic and hurts. At the same time it doesn´t justify to damage the reputation of others. The General Manager of our hotel, Mr. Chiarel, was several times related directly and indirectly to the poisoning by Mrs. Costello.
This is not adequate.
Mr. Chiarel is one of our most expert team members. He works with an absolute dedication towards the country he lives in and for its people. He acts professionally in accordance to the rules and regulations of his host country.
Mr. Chiarel for example fights without any compromise for the safety of cats that live in the hotel area. The amount he spends for cat’s food and the local veterinary is huge. Furthermore he regularly is giving a helping hand to SOS Tartarugas to save turtles and their natural environment.
He has our total confidence.

CONCLUSION:
RIU is always working closely together with the local authorities to find solutions when problems occur. We will continue this way and investigate and analyse in collaboration with the authorities how to solve this stray dog’s problem.

3 comments:

  1. I hear from tourists all the time and if there were any dog attacks i would have been informed, I have received emails stating the complete opposite to what this letter says from tourists staying at the RIU .
    Jackie Costello
    Sal Animal Rescue,( and I dont own a dog mr Chiarel!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am sorry I do not believe any of tjis guff from the Funana. I work on evidence especially after what I have seen. The ones who get bitten are the ones who abuse the dogs.Ive seen locals winding the dogs up and wondering why the dog doesn't just take it. The time I visited Santa Maria I petted the friendly dogs ignored the ones I was unsure of. I do not want to go to a country or a hotel that advocates the killing or ill treatment of dogs or cats. I believe the Riu has a new manager now let's hope he is more diplomatic and has worked out most of Europe are animal lovers and don't want to see or hear of bad things happening to dogs. Train your guests to feed at a food station off site if necessary and tell the employees and other guests to stay away... not rocket science.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Today we made a Trip with the e-bike North of kitesurf beach in the South-East Part of Sal. We had been confronted by four dogs near a track we Wanted to pass by. We stopped and slowly changed direction. But the dogs followed us and aggressively attacked my girlfriend.
    Shouting out loud and quickly riding away hopefully cleared the Situation. But it was quite close and dangerous

    Stray dogs in populared areas we expierienced as unharmfull and relaxed, also at the ihrer cv Islands. But be aware of dogs living in the less populated areas

    ReplyDelete