The National University (UNA) warned for the second consecutive year about gastrointestinal parasites found in dog feces in Alajuela.
Last year, parasites were detected in 15 parks around the country. This time the results have not changed significantly.
Parasitologist Ana Jiménez explained that this year a follow-up study was made in order to implement prevention and
control measures.
Parasites in humans may enter through the mouth and cause problems in the intestine; those who enter through the skin are responsible for skin and digestive problems. Among other problems, they can cause abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea and vomiting.
Although the Municipality of Alajuela does not have the research, it explained that engineer Geovanny Sandoval, coordinator of Environmental Services, is planning an intervention mechanism to deal with the situation.
Sandoval assured that in future budgets they will include some sections to put signs in the parks to appeal for the sense of responsibility and logic of people who own animals. They will also use social networks to launch an awareness campaign to inform people and visitors that dogs are sick.
Sandoval said they hope that the bills in the Legislature also contemplate responsibilities for animals’ owners who don’t clean their waste. At the moment there aren’t penalties for such situations.