Animal abuse arrests in Spain up on previous year

THE number of people arrested or charged for animal abuse in Spain in 2018 rose by more than 20 per cent.

Seprona, the Guardia Civil’s nature protection service investigated or detained 590 people for animal abuse against both wild and domestic animals.

The agency investigated 10,920 offenses related to injuries against domestic animals in 2018, and a further 3,974 involving dangerous animals and 1,731 in connection with dangerous dog breeds.

The agency also addressed 3,974 complaints regarding owners keeping wild animals as pets, and investigated more than 200 reports of animal exploitation at dog kennels, farms and zoos.

The previous year, Seprona dealt with 11,277 reports of animal abuse, and 488 people were arrested or charged. But while the number of people investigated rose slightly, last year compared to 2017, there was a 20 per cent rise in those arrested or charged.

In Galicia, the agency is currently investigating the brutal killing of four wild horses, which were led into a de-worming corridor and beaten to death.