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Environment

The street dogs of Juarez

The ills of a city are reflected in its sprawling homeless dog population. Photographs by Julian Cardona

September 3, 2013 12:26PM ET
A stray dog dodges traffic in Juarez Mexico, August 2013. In 2010-2011, the stray population of Juarez swelled almost ten-fold, as the drug war and recession tore apart the social fabric that suported them.
A stray dog dodges traffic in Juarez Mexico, August 2013. In 2010-2011, the stray population of Juarez swelled almost ten-fold, as the drug war and recession tore apart the social fabric that suported them. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
In better times, the dogs could count on food and water from the people of Juarez. In many cases, the dogs returned the favor by defending the homes of their benefactors.
In better times, the dogs could count on food and water from the people of Juarez. In many cases, the dogs returned the favor by defending the homes of their benefactors. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
A member of the Juarez Rabies Control Center lassoes a stray. As life in the city deterioted, more and more dogs were abandoned.
A member of the Juarez Rabies Control Center lassoes a stray. As life in the city deterioted, more and more dogs were abandoned. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
The animal control team captures two strays. The population of street dogs swelled as families abandoned their homes and left the family pet behind.
The animal control team captures two strays. The population of street dogs swelled as families abandoned their homes and left the family pet behind. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
The animal control workers capture a stray, Aug. 6, 2013. One estimate suggests that the number of strays peaked at 200,000, up from 20,000 just a few years before.
The animal control workers capture a stray, Aug. 6, 2013. One estimate suggests that the number of strays peaked at 200,000, up from 20,000 just a few years before. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
Like dogs everywhere the strays tend to roam in packs. An animal rescue worker corrals one stray, Aug. 6, 2013 while others look on.
Like dogs everywhere the strays tend to roam in packs. An animal rescue worker corrals one stray, Aug. 6, 2013 while others look on. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
Inside the Juarez Rabies Control Center, dogs that have bitten people are kept under observation for three days. Photo taken Aug. 6, 2013.
Inside the Juarez Rabies Control Center, dogs that have bitten people are kept under observation for three days. Photo taken Aug. 6, 2013. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
One of the residents of the rabies control center, July 31, 2013. Very few dogs at the shelter find new owners. Those that are not adopted are euthanized.
One of the residents of the rabies control center, July 31, 2013. Very few dogs at the shelter find new owners. Those that are not adopted are euthanized. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
Reyna, who would appear to be a St. Bernard, is one of the lucky ones. In this photograph, she waits to meet her new owner.
Reyna, who would appear to be a St. Bernard, is one of the lucky ones. In this photograph, she waits to meet her new owner. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
This 11-year-old boy raises puppies in an abandoned house. Many people in Juarez are in the business of selling puppies to make a living.
This 11-year-old boy raises puppies in an abandoned house. Many people in Juarez are in the business of selling puppies to make a living. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
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In this district, the strays are so common that they are often struck by cars. Local workers pick up the remains of several dozen dogs a day.
In this district, the strays are so common that they are often struck by cars. Local workers pick up the remains of several dozen dogs a day. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
The bodies of the dead dogs are collected in trucks and taken to a dump. Not all die from vehicle collisions; starvation and disease also take their toll.
The bodies of the dead dogs are collected in trucks and taken to a dump. Not all die from vehicle collisions; starvation and disease also take their toll. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
At the dump, the dogs are pushed into a pit, where their decomposing bodies are used to generate methane gas, which is then transformed into energy.
At the dump, the dogs are pushed into a pit, where their decomposing bodies are used to generate methane gas, which is then transformed into energy. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America
The efforts of the animal control teams and the high death toll have done little to diminish the stray dog population. In the streets of Juarez, thousands of dogs still wander.
The efforts of the animal control teams and the high death toll have done little to diminish the stray dog population. In the streets of Juarez, thousands of dogs still wander. Julian Cardona for Al Jazeera America

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