New case of animal abuse in the Canary Islands: Arrested for abusing 49 hunting dogs

The Civil Guard has arrested a resident of Granadilla de Abona, in Tenerife, as the alleged perpetrator of an animal cruelty offense after locating 49 dogs in serious conditions of abandonment on a farm in the municipality.

A statement from the Civil Guard reports that the investigation was initiated following information provided by rural guards about the existence of a large number of dogs that could be in inadequate conditions on a rural plot in the municipality.

During the inspection carried out, the agents located 49 hunting dogs distributed in three areas of the farm with significant hygienic-sanitary deficiencies, accumulation of excrement, lack of adequate shelter, among other deficiencies.

Likewise, they verified that only 19 dogs had health records and were identified by microchip.

The inspection was carried out with the collaboration of a veterinarian, who confirmed that several animals presented a clearly diminished body condition, with cases compatible with severe malnutrition, attributable, according to the Civil Guard's statement, to an insufficient food supply maintained over time or unequal access to food.

During the inspection of the rest of the farm, the agents located an old water tank used for training hunting dogs, several mounds of "molleros" and a cavity with a significant amount of calcined animal bone remains.

Given these facts, the Civil Guard arrested the owner of the animals as the alleged perpetrator of an animal cruelty offense, and he has been placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities.

According to the Civil Guard, the investigated facts could constitute an animal cruelty offense, provided for and punished in article 340 bis of the Penal Code, which contemplates a prison sentence or a fine, in addition to special disqualification for the possession of animals and for the exercise of activities related to them.

The operation was carried out by agents of the Civil Guard belonging to the patrol of the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA), of the Playa de Las Américas Company, with the collaboration of Rural Guards from the Hunting Management of Isla de Tenerife.