7

Of all the dangers to worry about when visiting a foreign country, I did not consider packs of stray dogs roaming the streets and attacking people. But apparently this is a thing:

Stray dogs are a problem in Samoa. Do not approach or feed them as they can become aggressive.

-- http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/samoa

The biggest danger tourists face is not from humans, but rather from dogs, who roam in packs and can get very aggressive. The risk of a dog attack should not be underestimated. Travel by taxi after dark and always carry a pointed object while out walking. If you find yourself surrounded, kneel down as if you are picking up a rock.

-- http://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samoa

I did a little searching after reading the second one (the first stuck in my head as such an unusual thing to warn about) but haven't been able to find anything else other than forum posts asking if it's a problem.

Samoa is "on the bubble" for this trip and the dog situation could tip the balance. I would like to know if it's really something to worry about or not.

hippietrail
  • 80,147
  • 56
  • 281
  • 643
Kate Gregory
  • 82,075
  • 14
  • 237
  • 340

1 Answers1

7

They are definitely a problem, with over 200 dog bites treated at hospital in 2012 (so not including any that weren't reported). Samoa passed a law called the Canine Control Act 2013 last year to try and rectify some of the issues by implementing pounds, registration of dogs, and allowing destruction of diseased and/or aggressive dogs. That should have an impact, but it wouldn't be immediate.

dlanod
  • 14,586
  • 7
  • 46
  • 103