The Lisbon animal welfare office has registered an increase in complaints about the use of animals for begging – a phenomenon that “is increasingly evident in downtown Lisbon”, the municipal body said today, stressing that it will be “carrying out inspections”. “Complaints to the municipal animal welfare office have been increasing significantly, as a result of the indignation of passers-by who see animals around beggars, used for the purpose of encouraging people to give money,” said the animal welfare office, noting that the animals most exploited in this practice are dogs and rabbits.
