TIJUANA — Inspectors overseeing the Mexican side of the San Ysidro Port of Entry have rescued at least 150 dogs in the last two years as part of an operation against illegal pet sales.
Mexican authorities claim that although this is a long-standing problem, they have recently found support from concerned citizens serving as additional eyes on what is considered to be one of the busiest borders in the world.
Last week, a citizen’s report allowed authorities to rescue a puppy that was for sale in the vehicle lanes.
Iván Bringas, an inspector who was just starting his shift, took care of the puppy for a few hours while Tijuana Animal Control authorities were notified. That time was enough for him to want to keep the puppy.
“The puppy was a little nervous and overheated,” Bringas recalled. “It seems outrageous to me how they keep them there at the border, they have them in bags and that’s how they carry them around when they are selling them.”
It isn’t the first time Bringas has rescued dogs from the port of entry, but it is the first time he felt a special connection. He asked his supervisors if he could adopt it, and he did.
The perhaps 2-month-old puppy was named Volpi after the popular Brazilian goalkeeper of the Mexican soccer team Toluca, of which Bringas is a loyal fan.
In Tijuana it is prohibited “to buy and sell animals on public streets,” according to the animal protection regulations.
But it still happens almost every day, authorities said. “There is no doubt that there are people who have good intentions when buying the dogs,” said Bringas. “The thing is they are promoting this type of sale. I would advise to file a report instead.”
Bringas thinks that sellers choose the border-crossing lanes due to their high concentration of people. Given that crossing to the United States can take hours, it is easier to approach people and try to make a sale.
According to authorities and animal rights organizations, the dogs are regularly sold for $50 to $400 each. And when salespeople are caught in the act, they usually abandon the animals and flee to avoid being sanctioned.
Earlier this month following another citizen complaint, authorities rescued eight puppies that were intended to be sold. Two were taken to the Animal Control office, but since that office closes earlier on Saturdays, the area’s lead inspector took the rest home to take care of them over the weekend.
Claudia Guadalupe de la Torre, head of inspection and verification at the San Ysidro checkpoint, said she had a “crush” on a pug-mix puppy she ended up adopting. “It started giving me kisses as thanks that we had taken it out of that situation,” she said.
“When my daughters saw her they burst out crying, complaining about how it was possible that they were kept in such conditions,” she added. The puppy was named Pancha.
De la Torre, with support from other public officials, looked for homes for the other five puppies. By Monday they all had homes.
De la Torre said that the regulations were updated a few years ago and it is now possible to fine those who sell animals illegally, and if necessary, file charges in cases of animal abuse.
Since the beginning of the current municipal administration in 2021, 20 fines have been issued to dog sellers at the Mexican side of the port of entry.
The community can report the illegal sale of pets through the WhatsApp number +52 (664) 616-3339, or on the Facebook page of Tijuana City Hall. Authorities also recommend doing it directly with a Mexican inspector at the checkpoint if one is around.
Once the animals are taken into custody, they are sent to the Animal Control office, where they receive treatment and are then put up for adoption.
Juan Esteban Domínguez, head of Tijuana Animal Control, said that many of the dogs arriving from the border are sick, either with parvovirus or distemper, or are affected by spending too much time in the sun. For them, a foster home is sought while they are put up for adoption. They also work with civil organizations.
He noted that in the present administration there are more animals arriving to animal shelters, but there has also been increased outreach so that people can adopt pets. “Many (dogs) arrive, but more are also being adopted,” he said.
In Tijuana, more than 1,000 animals have been rescued in the last two years, either for illegal sale or mistreatment, said Michel García, inspection and verification coordinator.
The group Abogados Animalistas México, founded in 2009, also sent a message to the community.
“As long as we are generating demand there is going to continue to be business for animal exploiters,” said founder Carmen Villarreal Alberich. “We see a very cute puppy in front of us, but we forget that behind it there are clandestine breeders in terrible conditions.”
Villarreal said they have received reports of some dogs that were sold sick and once they arrived to their new home on the other side of the border they infected other animals.
They have also found that some dogs were sold along with vaccination certificates that they consider to be of suspicious origin.
A spokesperson with Customs and Border Protection reminded border-crossers of requirements to bring dogs into the U.S.: “For dogs, they should have had their rabies shots three months before entering, and the puppies must be 3 months old to receive the shots, making them 6 months of age.”
However, the spokesperson added that because Mexico does not have a high risk of canine rabies, the age requirement is not enforced.
On the same Saturday that authorities sheltered eight puppies, Villareal’s organization received reports of at least 20 more that were seen for sale at the border, she said.
Villarreal said she hopes for more coordination with police so that the sellers are arrested and punished.
And for those looking to adopt dogs: “There are excellent organizations in Tijuana that are continuously rescuing, rehabilitating and giving up for adoption beautiful animals that are longing to arrive with a responsible family,” she added.
