A group of citizens "animal lovers" has grouped together in a platform to try to ensure that their requests regarding the Arrecife dog pound, which they compare to "a concentration camp", are "heard and solutions are given to the life of suffering of the pets that are there."
The 'Platform against animal abuse', which for now states that it is made up of about fifteen people, denounces that in the Arrecife dog pound "there are dogs that have been living in cold cages for years and sleeping on the floor, with no more heat than that given to them by a group of volunteers who regularly visit them."
Likewise, it denounces that "the veterinary attention is practically nil, given that the municipal veterinarian has been on medical leave for quite some time, and there has been no other professional in his place to ensure the well-being of these defenseless animals."
"The dogs have a very high level of stress due to the lack of walks and socialization, since all they do is walk around inside their enclosures (from which they never leave) and any veterinarian worth their salt knows what that means," he adds. In addition, the 'Platform against animal abuse' points out that "there are no reports of the character of the dogs or why they are being held in that center."
They criticize the "excuses" for not authorizing them to walk the dogs
In addition, the 'Platform against animal abuse' claims to have asked "countless times" to be allowed to walk the dogs, "even in the inner courtyard of the facilities." Something that they believe would "improve their character" and that, with "socialization with other dogs and people, would allow their visualization and enable adoptions."
However, the members of this Platform point out that "one of the excuses" that has been given to them "for not authorizing these contacts of the volunteers with the animals is the lack of civil liability insurance that can cover possible accidents that may occur", despite the fact that they claim to be willing to pay their own insurance, "so that the City Council would be exempt from any type of responsibility."
The Platform also points out that members of this group have requested the adoption of some animals, "adoptions that could have been resolved" and that they consider that if it has not been done "it is not due to legal problems, but to a lack of will."
"Those animals are being left to die of sadness"
"The anomalous situation and our proposals were brought to the attention of both the technical and political officials of the Arrecife City Council without us having received a response, thousands of signatures have been delivered supporting our demands and even complaints have been filed with the Prosecutor's Office, since we can assure that in some matters the Animal Protection Law of the Canary Islands is not being complied with," says the 'Platform against animal abuse'
"Until now, the feeling they convey to us is that they are stalling the matter and the problems remain unresolved," criticizes this group of citizens, who points out that "while this is happening, those animals are being left to die of sadness."
Platform Claims
Thus, they demand that they be allowed to "attend to them and groom them" and that "on the City Council's website there be a space where the work that is being carried out is displayed while facilitating adoption." They also request that "a wide range of visiting hours be established that is respected so that volunteers can carry out their work in an organized manner."
"We are not asking for the impossible, municipalities such as Tinajo and Haría already do it, which leads us to think that this issue only requires the necessary political will of those who have the responsibility," says the 'Platform against animal abuse', which warns that it is not going to "allow this situation to continue." "From respect for the institutions, the laws and above all those beings who give us everything in exchange for nothing, we need a 180° turn to reverse a situation that disqualifies us as civilized beings," he concludes.
