評論
打印
Stray dogs in Chile
智利的流浪犬
Spray as you go
想去哪就去哪
The state orders a sterilisation of stray mutts
國家下令給流浪犬們殺菌
IT IS one of the first things that visitors to Santiago, the Chilean capital, ask: “Why are there so many dogs everywhere?” Patricia Cocas, founder of ProAnimal Chile, an animal-rights group, reckons that some 180,000 stray hounds wander the city of six million people; a further 80,000 are let out by their owners to roam as they please. The area around the presidential palace is a favoured hangout. Most mutts are harmless enough—Chile is free of rabies, which helps explain why they are tolerated. But some attack passers-by or chase cars down Santiago's main thoroughfare, the Alameda, occasionally ripping tyres with their teeth.
游客們去智利首都圣地亞哥旅行時，最初會打聽的問題之一是：“為什么這兒到處都是狗呢？”智利的動物權利小組專業動物組織發起人Patricia Cocas估計大約十八萬只流浪犬逡巡于六百萬城市人口之間；有超過八萬只流浪犬被它們的主人遺棄，任它們流浪。總統府附近地區就是他們最喜歡閑逛的位子。大部分流浪狗對人無害—智利沒有狂犬病。這也就是流浪犬被容忍的原因。但是一些流浪犬攻擊行人或者在圣地亞哥的主干道——林蔭大道上追逐車輛，它們有時會用牙齒撕咬輪胎。
The government is now taking action. In her state-of-the-union speech last month, President Michelle Bachelet announced a national sterilisation programme for stray dogs (the details are still to be fleshed out). A bill on responsible pet ownership is due to come before Congress this month. It envisages tougher penalties for those who abuse or abandon their pets, and the establishment of a register of dangerous dogs.
政府現在正在采取措施應對。在上個月總統米歇爾?巴切萊特的國情咨文演說中聲明了一項針對流浪狗的國家除菌項目(細節還在補充當中)。這個月一份針對寵物所有權的法案將被交付國會。它預期針對那些虐待或遺棄寵物的人實施更重的懲罰，并且建立一家危險流浪狗管理處。
Ms Bachelet is trying to make the pooches political, weaving them into a broader narrative about inequality. Chile's cities need affordable veterinary centres where pets can be vaccinated and sterilised, she said in her speech. “In our country wealthy people can do that, but people without money have no way of caring for their pets.” But she insists there will be no cull of strays. For now, the mongrels on the lawns outside the palace where she works can sleep in peace.
巴切萊特正試圖將處理流浪狗問題正式化，將它們同一個更寬泛意義上的不平等陳述結合到遺棄。她在演說中說智利的各個城市需要建立可支付得起的收益中心，在那兒寵物們可以接種疫苗以及除菌。“我們國家富人們可以實施那項行動但是窮人們就無法照看他們的寵物。”但是她堅持否定屠殺流浪狗。至少現在，總統府外，她散步的草坪上的流浪狗們能安閑地睡覺。譯者:彭威
譯文屬譯生譯世
