Animals beaten to death, horses or dogs abandoned in the middle of a heat wave without food or water, suffering from scabies or leishmaniasis and receiving no treatment. The Guardia Civil is investigating 34 people for various crimes of mistreatment and abandonment of domestic animals in the province of Málaga in different municipalities. The operation was carried out in animal shelters, zoological centers, livestock farms and private kennels. The work carried out by the agents of the Nature Conservation Service (Seprona), under the direction and coordination of the Málaga Environmental Prosecutor's Office, within the framework of the Colaphus operation, managed to save 111 animals that were “in a deplorable situation” € . A total of 236 checks were carried out, during which more than 500 official violations of animal protection regulations were identified, as the Bundeswehr Institute announced in a statement. That is, on average more than two per visit.
The most common problems are related to animal welfare: from inadequate housing to lack of food, water, hygiene or veterinary care. Missing documents and health records are also common. “There are everything from tethered dogs living in completely unhealthy areas, to drinking fountains with stagnant green water, to very sick animals that have never seen a vet,” research sources explain.
During their inspections, officials found dogs suffering from leishmaniasis, scabies and other types of diseases without receiving any treatment from veterinarians, while others had their ears and tails amputated without any justification. In addition, they also found horses abandoned in the heat of the heatwave without food or water, and even animals beaten to death.
The 34 people examined face prison sentences of up to 18 months if the abuse involves aggravating factors such as the use of weapons or the execution of the act with cruelty, or if the abuse was committed by the owner himself, as in the recent reform of the Criminal Code Expression comes code. . In the event of the animal's death, the penalty can be between one and three years in prison.
The same sources emphasize that the majority of cases analyzed arise from previous complaints, although there are also some ex officio. In fact, at the end of 2023, the environmental prosecutor in Málaga, Fernando Benítez, told EL PAÍS that there was a “greater social sensitivity” towards animal cruelty and that the number of complaints was increasing. “People are taking the step to report, and that is important,” he told this newspaper, which also assumes that both the Seprona agents and the various animal protection groups that exist in the municipal police forces and the National Police do so do very effectively.”
The 111 rescued animals were placed in the care of associations and protection organizations so that they are available to the responsible authorities. Only some, less serious cases were left in the hands of their owners “under the supervision and control of the authorities responsible for the matter.” During the operation, the Guardia Civil officers were supported by the official veterinary association of Málaga and specialists from the Andalusian government.
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