Guardia Civil release stolen hunting dogs and arrest three

SEPRONA, the Nature Protection Service of the Guardia Civil announced on March 12, that under the name Asensio an operation which was mounted in the province of Toledo, had resulted in the arrest of three people for allegedly obtaining stolen hunting dogs for later sale. 

The operation recovered 26 dogs of different breeds of which eight had been stolen in the towns of Rielves and Lominchar (Toledo), Talayuela (Caceres) and Cebreros (Avila). Those arrested are charged with crimes of abuse of domestic animals, receiving and misappropriation. 

The investigations began when the Guardia Civil became aware of a number of reports in which hunting dogs had been stolen so they alerted Seprona who after investigation were able to identify four facilities that could be harbouring stolen animals so they undertook searches of the properties.

As a result of these searches, the officers were able to verify that most of the dogs found inside the facilities lacked microchips and others had scars on the left side of the neck, where usually these identification devices are implanted. 

This then allowed Seprona to arrest three men aged between 37 and 53 years old and to seize 26 dogs of different breeds, some of which were in very poor condition as they were in the main suffering from skin diseases.

A number of the dogs have been re-united with their owners whilst for others, investigations continue.