Image: Sergio Betancort
About two hundred people have demonstrated in Lanzarote against animal abuse in Arrecife. The concentration has departed from the Arrecife Fairgrounds to the Insular Directorate. Likewise, a collection of signatures has been carried out, which will be operational until April 15, and it has ended with the reading of the manifesto. Thus, the island joins the demonstrations that have been held this same day in different Spanish provinces.
The Citizen Platform for Animal Defense, which was born on the occasion of the march for animal rights, carries out this action to show the condemnation of Spanish citizens to the problem of animal abuse and abandonment. This citizen movement brings together thousands of people, private and public entities; among which the union of animal rights groups stands out. Thus, it began its fight to recognize the rights of animals with a collection of physical signatures that will be presented to different public bodies. Along with these signatures from citizens, lawyers specialized in Animal Law have prepared documentation on this matter in which four issues stand out.
In the first place, they advocate for the toughening of penalties for animal abuse crimes, which currently do not exceed two years in any case and, therefore, do not contemplate imprisonment. Despite these penalties, Spain is the "European country with the highest rate of abandonment and abuse." Thus, they recognize that "this cruelty needs a more forceful response from our Penal Code to prevent it from being transferred to other areas of our coexistence, or simply because the unjustified suffering of these defenseless beings deserves justice."
On the other hand, they ask that animals be considered as sentient beings and subjects of law in the Civil Code, because today they are considered as mere "things." In the third place, they consider "incomprehensible" the fact that there is no framework law for animal protection at the state level that establishes bases, principles and guidelines. Currently, animal protection regulations are developed by the Autonomous Communities, so this difference between communities results in less control of these crimes. Finally, they demand greater awareness on the part of society, which allows the breeding and sale of animals, which has an impact on the subsequent mistreatment and abandonment of them.
Importance of awareness
Among other points that they demand with the call for the demonstration, the responsibility in health care and basic services for animals in a situation of abandonment, in the birth control of animals, and in the monitoring of breeding and sale of puppies stand out.
To this is also added the request for the development of a zero sacrifice policy, as included in most European countries; and they remind the Administration that it is responsible for developing and disseminating social awareness campaigns that promote respect for animals.