Stray Dogs in Playa del Carmen Need Targeted Sterilization, Expert Says
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Sterilization campaigns for dogs must prioritize animals living on the streets rather than those that already have owners, according to canine behavior specialist Rubén Mejía.
Mejía, who works with aggressive dogs, said one of the main flaws in current programs is that they sterilize pets that have been rescued or live in homes, while stray animals continue to reproduce without control.
“We are sterilizing the dog that already has an owner, but not the one that doesn’t. Those on the streets keep reproducing,” he said.
He called for a program that first targets female strays and then males, in order to reduce the growth of the street dog population and reclaim public spaces.
Mejía warned that the problem is worsening. In the past, he noted, it was uncommon to hear about feral dogs, packs, or attacks in public areas. “We are going to reach a higher point if we don’t put a brake on it, and we need to put that brake on now,” he said.
Controlling reproduction among street dogs, he added, would reduce risks to the public and help manage the city’s canine population.
Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx
