The powerful, heartbreaking, yet hopeful, story of Steve McGarva’s heroic crusade to save the satos, or stray dogs of Puerto Rico, and an impassioned appeal to help all animals in need.Looking for inspiration and adventure in their lives, Steve McGarva and his wife Pam moved to Puerto Rico. While kite surfing at Playa Lucia, Steve made a shocking discovery—a sick and abandoned dog—that would … dog—that would transform his life. With its shimmering white sand, palm trees, and dazzling azure water, the beach looked postcard perfect. But its beauty hid a dark side: To the locals, this slice of paradise was known as Dead Dog Beach—a notorious dumping ground for the island’s unwanted canines.
Considered a threat to the area’s lucrative tourism industry, these defenseless animals were in constant danger of brutality and death. Enraged, and refusing to accept such cruelty, McGarva began protecting these helpless animals—actions that would jeopardize his marriage, challenge his sanity, and make him a target of locals determined to stop him.
The Rescue at Dead Dog Beach is the story of Steve’s fearless dedication to hundreds of dogs, and his efforts to expose their systemic abuse. Exposing the true costs of the tourist industry, it is also a call to arms for animal lovers, offering insights and practical information to help strays anywhere in the world.
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It’s a very sad book. Having spent 10 years doing dog rescue myself I could relate to this story but I had a very hard time getting through it because of the sadness and cruelty of people
How could people be so cruel to animals! I’ve been to Puerto Rico and to some of the places mentioned in the book, kind of upsetting to read
Well written account of a man, his wife, and others that sacrificed time and money for neglected dogs. I would have never know that things like this were going on and there were people that were giving so much to help.
This was a hard book to read because of the way dogs are treated. My son traveled there and saw a little of this first hand.
This was an awesome book. I couldn’t put it down. I recommend anyone read it if you like true stories.
Inspiring story well told.
The inhumane way animals are treated in Puerto Rico, specifically, stray dogs is told with much emotion but includes reasons why this brutality continues and possible solutions. A sad reality check for this beautiful Caribbean island.
Very sad stories about dogs being treated so poorly. I couldn’t get past the first couple of chapters. It was just too hard for me to read. It is a story that more people need to hear.
I read this book because my daughter owns a Sato dog from Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico. Since I have a personal tie to this subject, I found it extremely informative. It breaks my heart how animals are so readily discarded and abused on this beautiful island of truly wonderful people. The author has a heart and great compassion for abandoned animals.
Very sad, but at least it brought light to a bad situation. Definitely not for weak hearted people.
Sad stories with a hopeful ending. I feel for the author.
Depressing view of humanity’s response to animals.
Hard to read about such abuse
A difficult read but informative.
At times, very tragic and sad. I was glad to learn that a group of people and organizations continue to do this work.
This book made me cry.
You are warned in the first chapter that this may not be an easy book to read because the true story of what happened to hundreds of dogs on this beach in Puerto Rico is gut-wrenching. And there were times when I did not want to turn the page because I feared what I knew was coming next. This had to have been a very hard memoir to write, and despite some of the hopeful activities described in the book, you know that the real problem, a culture of not valuing the life of other beings on this earth, remains entrenched. Still, I’m glad I read the book and I do heartily recommend it.
Narcissistic, self centered author did not write a book worth opening!
So sad that this happens to so many creatures in God’s world. I give the man credit for sticking by these poor creatures even though he suffered greatly
himself. His wife was great in staying with through all of it.
If you love animals this book gives an eye opening look at how cruel people can be. Even though some parts were very sad, the determination of one man kept you turning the pages!