Agents of the Nature Protection Service of the Civil Guard of Lanzarote have arrested a person with initials S.A.V., 46 years old and with a police record, as alleged perpetrator of a crime of animal abandonment, for having five podencos "in extremely poor hygienic-sanitary conditions" on the roof of his house in Tahíche.
Following information provided by a witness, who reported the presence of these animals in poor physical condition and showed a recording, the Seprona agents went to the address in question on the 13th, together with agents of the Local Police of Teguise, and with the permission of a relative who lives in the house, they accessed the roof where the animals were located.
The agents saw the "extremely poor hygienic-sanitary conditions" in which the dogs were found and the "extreme thinness" they presented, as well as the "large number of fleas and ticks that were on the roof and the strong smell of excrement and urine".
Collaboration of the City Council
Faced with this situation, the Seprona agents decided to seize the animals preventively "to protect their physical integrity", requesting the necessary collaboration from the aforementioned City Council and the facultative report that would accredit the risk that the animals were suffering in the described situation.
Based on the situation of the animals and the aforementioned report, the Civil Guard arrested S.A.V. as the alleged perpetrator of a crime of animal abandonment, remaining at the disposal of the corresponding Court on duty in Arrecife.
The animals also lacked a health card and only one of them has a microchip, both of which are mandatory under the Animal Protection Law of the Canary Islands, so the Civil Guard will also report these infractions
Penalties of one to six months in prison
The Civil Guard reminds that the Penal Code typifies the aforementioned crime in its article 337 bis, explaining that whoever abandons an animal in conditions in which its life or integrity may be in danger will be punished with a fine of one to six months.
Likewise, the judge may impose the penalty of special disqualification of three months to one year for the exercise of a profession, trade or business that is related to animals and for the possession of animals.
