Torremolinos Animal Care centre killings

THE president of the association that ran the Animal Park in Torremolinos Carmen Marin Aguilar, and one of her employees, Felipe Barco, will be tried in court for killing almost 3,000 cats and dogs over a two-year period since 2011.

 The animal care centre was supposed to provide shelter and veterinary services to abandoned pets. In reality, what the Civil Guard uncovered  were dozens of dead creatures in freezers, bags and trash cans.

It is believed that the pair injected some of the animals with small doses of Dolethal and T-61, veterinary euthanasia drugs. However, neither of the accused is licensed to administer euthanasia medication to animals.

A lawyer at the Veterinary College of Malaga, has also brought a private prosecution against the accused.

Part of the investigation also centres on the irregular use of donations from benefactors of the shelter, a “large sum” of which is believed to have been spent by Marin on vacations to St. Petersburg, Boston and Marrakech. Also spa treatments with her husband, the installation of an alarm system at her home and the purchase of food and bathroom products.

As well as Marín, two of her daughters and a son-in-law are alleged to have helped themselves to money from the Animal Park’s accounts.  Investigators also believe that these funds may have been increased by other “people or companies” and that the centre may have been a front for a money-laundering operation.