Sato is a Puerto Rican slang term referring to a mixed breed dog. Due to a combination of economic, social, and cultural factors, Puerto Rico has a terrible problem of animal overpopulation, abandonment, abuse, and neglect, meaning that abandoned satos can be found everywhere, struggling to survive on the streets, beaches, and commercial centers. Because of satos' out-of-control numbers and some's view of them as a public menace and health hazard, they are sometimes the victims of abuse such as burning and drowning.