Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:23am
Hi Kevin
I sympathize with your situation! We have a similar thing going on here (its probably all over Spain in villages). We wrote to the Ayuntamiento (nothing of course), badgered them through their FB page (nothing of course), went to the Guardia Civil (nothing of course). Then we corralled a Spanish speaker to help who came again to the GC (we had created a Denuncia - see below - + pictures) and pushed and pushed them and finally they came with us to SEE with their own eyes the condition of the dogs. THEN they contacted Seprona (https://www.euroweeklynews.com/2016/07/29/seprona-campaign-against-animal-cruelty/). Seprona came down within a day but the HUNTER who keeps these dogs had cleaned up his act a bit so of course the result was nothing. Seprona said the dogs were ok!!! Of course!
YES, these so called "hunters" who have dogs in cages all around the beautiful valleys and hills surrounding the Villages, as they have done forever, are usually connected with the villagers and are protected. Unfortunately because they claim themselves "hunters" their dogs fall outside the protection of "domestic animals".
We completed a denuncia which is offered here: https://pacma.es/denuncias/. Its very good and gives you some structure to issue a complaint. Its worth doing. Because of our complaints the situation with two dogs in particular was improved. The owner built a small space for them to go outside.
We continue to badger the Ayuntamiento whenever it is possible, sending them information about court cases, etc to their email address. Of course we get no reply. We don't expect this situation to change over night BUT, the more people shine a light on it, then eventually, sooner or later one must hope that conditions will improve, if only slightly.
In my personal experience even non Spanish will say "oh those are hunters dogs" as if this justifies the cruelty delivered to their poor lives. As foreigners the authorities here just ignore our attempts to shine a light on it. Try to find someone who can go with you to the Guardia Civil and force them to listen (with the denuncia). The Spanish speaker must be able to repeat and repeat that the GC MUST go with you to SEE with their own eyes the cruelty and MAKE them report it to Seprona. Then follow up.
All this of course takes time and effort and it seems pointless as nothing much will change, BUT to me its not pointless. You know the expression about how things will never change when good people choose to look the other way. I hope you can find some local help to not let the authorities get off the hook in your Village either. We live here, we pay taxes here, we contribute to the community here and this cruelty is something that most foreigners here abhor and if more were aware of it, less would probably come.
Of course the other issue is the noise and pollution level (with all the rubbish strewn around!). Its so disturbing to your life all the barking. We have not yet pursued this line with the Ayuntamiento but will not expect much to change sadly.
You are definitely not alone Kevin!!.
Kerri
My name's Alex and this is my website all about Villanueva del Trabuco in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Animals and pets in Villanueva del Trabuco and much more!
