|
|
|
The plight of the Spanish Galgos
Tens of thousands of galgos abandoned or killed every year in Spain
Each year, approximately 60,000 Spanish galgos (hunting dogs) are abandoned or tortured to death in Spain, especially in the communities of Castile and Leon, Extremadura and Andalusia.
Galgos used for hunting and racing and subjected to extreme neglect
The hunters (galgueros) use galgos mainly for hare hunting or racing (carreras de galgos, where the dogs run after a mechanical lure). The dogs often live their lives in atrocious circumstances cramped together in dirty tiny sheds without daylight and possibility to move, ill and on the brink of starvation, deprived of human care and affection. Galgos are often trained by tying them to a motor vehicle forcing them to run at high speed, which often causes them injuries. Before the galgos are used for hunting, they can be starved for days to make them 'better' at hunting.
Brutal training practices and deliberate starvation of galgos
Galgos are often trained by tying them to a motor vehicle forcing them to run at high speed, which often causes them injuries. Before the galgos are used for hunting, they can be starved for days to make them 'better' at hunting.
Mass overbreeding and the systematic disposal of unwanted galgos
After the end of the hunting season, the hunters get rid of most of their dogs by abandoning them or by destroying them in the most horrendous ways. Massive and uncontrolled overbreeding makes it less costly to buy new galgos each year than to keep the old ones.
Traditional methods of killing Spanish hunting dogs
By tradition, the dogs are often killed by hanging them by their necks with their feet just touching the ground, swaying back and forth causing the dogs extreme pain and agony for several days until they die. Other traditional ways to murder the dogs are to throw them into abandoned wells covering them with burning wood, beat them with rocks or bury or burn them alive. The hunters believe that the more the dogs suffer, the more successful the following hunting season will be.
|
|
Abandonment, municipal killing stations and rare rescue chances for galgos
The abandoned dogs often die of starvation or injuries, and if they are caught they are mostly brought to municipal killing stations, where they are kept in horrendous conditions and mostly killed after a while. A few are rescued by private shelters where they are rehabilitated, after which they have a chance to find a forever home. Unfortunately many Spaniards consider galgos to be unsuitable as companion animals, so most of the galgos are adopted abroad.
Hunting dogs excluded from animal welfare laws in Spain
No EU legislation exists concerning the welfare of dogs, and the Spanish authorities are unwilling to address this matter in any way. In February 2023, a new animal welfare bill was passed in Spain, but hunting dogs were excluded. Without a massive national and international movement the situation is not likely to change, and these noble, beautiful and gentle dogs are deemed to continue their terrible suffering.
The hellish life of the Galgo Espanol
By Galgos del Sol Animal Rescue
Emotional mass rescue as Galguero gets shut down
By Galgos del Sol Animal Rescue
Galgo horror in Spain- Welcome to the 21st century
By Indra Corputty