Turnaround after rescue operation: Australian sailor leaves dog behind in Mexico
Leonie Meyer
· 21.07.2023
Review: Tim Shaddock, 54, wanted to sail his catamaran from La Paz in Mexico to French Polynesia. But a storm came up during the trip, leaving clear marks on his boat. The result: an unmanoeuvrable cat. The Man from Sydney drifted for three months and without contact with the coast through the Pacific Ocean. A helicopter accompanying a tuna trawler spotted the man and his dog in distress and eventually rescued them.
Faithful companion remains in Mexico
After the rescue, however, the story now takes a sad turn: The 54-year-old decided to leave the dog in Mexico. According to various Media Shaddock is said to have flown back to Australia alone.
There may have been a reason for this decision: in Australia, there are high barriers to bringing pets into the country. The process can be lengthy and costly, as the "New York Post" reported. The dog would have to be chipped and vaccinated to enter the country. Some pets have to spend several months in quarantine at the airport before they are even allowed to enter the country. In addition, Mexico is not a country authorised by the Australian government for the import of pets. For this reason, Bella would have had to make a stopover and wait in an authorised country while travelling.
Crew member gives female dog a new home
According to the "New York Post" the dog Shaddock had run into him in Mexico. "Bella seemed to have found me in the middle of Mexico, she's Mexican," the Australian is quoted as saying. He then decided to take the dog with him on the sailing trip.
The dog is said to have found a new home with a crew member of the trawler who discovered her and Shaddock. The crew immediately took the four-legged companion to their hearts after the rescue operation. She is said to be well looked after there, as the Australian is said to have assured himself.
Also interesting:
Leonie Meyer
Editor News & Panorama
