Before that fateful day in AD 79 the dogs of Pompeii, like dogs everywhere, had been either guard dogs or pets. But they sensed that all was not well up on Vesuvius long before their owners did and those that were not chained, we are told, took themselves as far away as possible. One can only imagine the distress of the poor creature depicted in the famous Cave Canem mosaic.
Today there are still dogs in Pompeii but they are strays or unwanted animals whose owners have unceremoniously dumped them there. These dogs and their predecessors have been roaming the streets of ancient Pompeii for decades. They don’t do as badly as you might think for food, for they have become adept at working out which tourists will pity them enough to offer titbits and the guides pool money in order to feed them.
At night they scavenge in the modern town. Some tourists are frightened by the sight of so many dogs but the animals are not vicious. If they have been ill-treated and have gone hungry in the past they may react defensively if someone tries to pet them but this is natural. They do, however, pose a health risk to visitors and hinder excavations and the opening of more villas on the site.
Now Pompeii’s emergency commissioner Marcello Firi has launched a project to find good homes for the dogs. He has promised that none will be put down and has given assurances that the authorities are thinking of the welfare of the dogs as well as the reputation of Pompeii, which is visited by over two million people every year.
Volunteers from animal charities in Italy have already been fitting the animals with microchips, name discs and collars and in the next phase of the project the dogs will be treated for any illnesses and sterilised. Animal welfare offices have also been set up on the site and these are staffed by volunteers.
Shortly a website will be launched with the aim of finding homes for the dogs: http://www.icanidipompei.com/
The project has the backing of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Would you adopt a Pompeii dog?
