A FOREIGN resident who died alone in his rented home near Aljezur is believed to have been partly eaten by his two dogs after they were left starving for around a week following his death.
The man, whose name has not been confirmed, was found by Aljezur GNR, who were called by the landlord of the house where he lived.
“People had stopped seeing the man for more than a week,” said the landlord, José Lourenço, adding: “His dogs were free, which wasn’t normal. On Tuesday a neighbour spoke to me so I alerted the local GNR.”
GNR officials from Aljezur GNR who visited the property before informing the court of the death believe he died of natural causes, although parts of the body had been mutilated.
A spokesman from Aljezur GNR told the Resident: “We were called to inform the court of the death, but this is a normal procedure when a death occurs outside of a hospital. The man died of natural causes but the Polícia Judiciária were called because that is standard procedure in these cases.”
The Polícia Judiciária, however, said that they are looking into the death and that it is believed the man died of natural causes and his dogs are responsible for the mutilation because of extreme hunger.
A spokesman told the Resident: “The Polícia Judiciária is currently investigating the case. We have no new information.”
The two dogs, which Portuguese daily Correio da Manhã, reported were taken to Aljezur Municipal kennel, have in fact not been found.
Dr Vasco Reis, the veterinary for Aljezur kennel told the Resident: “I went to the property accompanied by the GNR after the owner’s body had been taken away and the two dogs, one black and one white, had disappeared.
“Dry food had been put at the property for the animals by someone so it is a mystery why the dogs were not guarding their property.”
Dr Vasco Reis also said that he will return to the property to try and recover the dogs and care for them at the kennel.
“What happened to the owner is not the fault of the animals; they must now be found and cared for,” he said.
