Even a dog with an owner can become a stray dog!

ORANJESTAD — The Department of Public Health reminds all dog owners that the Dog Ordinance places responsibility on the 'keeper'—the person caring for the dog—to prevent the dog from roaming freely on public roads.

Not all dogs we see on the street are strays. Many dogs have a home and an owner, but are allowed to roam freely or can leave the yard unattended. As long as a dog is on the street, it faces the same dangers as an abandoned animal.

A dog running loose can:

  • Get lost
  • Bite a person or attack another animal
  • Cause a traffic accident or get hit by a car
  • Reproduce uncontrolled

Owners may think their dog will just come back home, but in the meantime, both the animal and the surrounding community are in danger. The Dog Ordinance is clear: the responsibility always lies with the keeper. Saying that the dog always goes outside and returns on its own does not release an owner from their legal obligation.

Take Your Responsibility

Leaving an animal behind or putting it outside without ensuring ongoing care violates the legally established principle of responsibility. Can you no longer care for your pet? Please seek a safe and responsible solution. Do not leave the animal to its fate.

The solution for stray animals does not begin when they are caught. It begins at home: behind closed doors, with proper supervision, the right care, and an owner who takes their responsibility seriously.

Legal basis: Dog Ordinance, articles 1, 2, and 3.

For a harmonious community: be a responsible pet owner! Every responsible act saves a life. Provide love, protect their well-being, and together we can realize an Aruba without abandoned animals.

Stay informed

Responsible dog owners do not abandon their dogs.