nunoa hounds

THE WAITING WRATH OF THE NUNOA HOUNDS

They lie in wait, move in packs, and bark louder than they bite, they are the resident strays of the Plaza Ñuñoa. Who are these canines? There are several of them that I see often in my travels to and from my apartment, located within barking distance of the plaza.

As far as strays go, they have a much better life than many other “vaga peros” who call the alleys, parks, bridges, and streets of Santiago home. There are several restaurants for the dogs to pick up fallen scraps of food, one of the street vendors has taken a liking to these pooches, setting up makeshift cardboard shelters, and even applied a splint to the broken leg of one of the injured mutts.

This is not to say their lives are easy, I looked into the eyes of one a particularly strange looking one with a long body and short legs. It was raining, and he looked rather sad, though I have seen the same one chasing bikes with plenty of glee.

On the whole, they are all rather calm, save a few instigators. One of the furry mutts always gets worked up when a motorcycle or bike comes close to the plaza. His display of doggone inhospitality catches on and pretty soon there are loud packs barking up a storm.

When the night falls, they tend to get more aggressive. I haven’t had too many problems riding my bicycle through the plaza during the day. However as the sun sets, the dogs start to growl.

I have seen them gather in a group of around fifteen, waiting for a motorist on an off-road motorcycle to cross Irarrazavul. The light changed and the rider proceeded, the pack converged and made chase like fox hounds going after a kill.

Only a dog knows what exactly is so offensive about a motorcycle or bicycle that warrants a dramatic show of teeth and an exhaustive chase. Regardless of their motives, if you happen to be riding by the Plaza Ñuñoa, it might pay to pack a good size stick, (or a tender steak) lest you feel the wrath of the Ñuñoa hounds.