The investigation began when a concerned citizen reported several donkeys roaming freely and unattended in the streets of a town in Burgos. What the officers of the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Guardia Civil and the veterinarians from the Junta de Castilla y León found was appalling: an animal husbandry that lacked any basic care.
In two warehouses and on a plot of land, investigators discovered a total of 10 donkeys, 50 goats and sheep, nine adult dogs, and eleven puppies living under “terrible” hygienic-sanitary conditions. Feces piled up to one meter high in some places – a clear sign of weeks, if not months, of neglect. Some dogs were chained and lacked adequate shelters. Additionally, irregularities in the operation’s documentation were found.
Suffering with Fatal Consequences
Three of the donkeys showed significant physical deterioration due to lack of care. Their hooves were particularly affected, with extreme length and lack of cleanliness leading to considerable difficulty walking and constant suffering. Tragically, two of the donkeys had to be euthanized due to their irreversible injuries.
The Andalusian Horse Rescue Center in Alhaurín el Grande (Málaga) immediately dispatched two veterinarians and a professional farrier to care for the remaining animals and perform necessary treatments, such as X-rays and trimming the donkeys’ hooves.
Legal Consequences and Animal Welfare in Spain
The case is being heard before the Briviesca court. According to the Spanish Penal Code, animal cruelty can be punished with a prison sentence of up to one year and a three-year professional ban for activities involving animals, as well as a ban on owning animals. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the need for their consistent application.
The Guardia Civil continues its investigations to ensure that those responsible for this suffering are held accountable. Such cases remind us of the importance of vigilance and reporting abuses to ensure the well-being of animals in Spain.
