Animal-lovers gathered to demonstrate against the horrific abuse and slaughter of up to 100,000 dogs in Spain every year.
Hunting dogs have no rights under animal welfare laws in Spain(Image: Sara Nowak)
More than 100 animal lovers in Scotland have united against the horrific abuse and slaughter of hunting dogs in Spain.
Each year, up to 100,000 Spanish hunting dogs – primarily podencos and galgos – are abandoned or killed when hunting season ends in February, often in cruel ways designed to prolong their suffering.
Dogs are hung, drowned and burned alive for “luck” and Spanish law classifies them as “tools”, leaving them unprotected from twisted torture by huntsmen.
Glasgow is one of four UK cities holding marches this weekend against their brutal treatment along with London, Manchester and Exeter, while a further 80 protests are planned across Spain and Europe.
Protesters gathered in Glasgow yesterday to rally against the horrific abuse(Image: Sara Nowak)
Local organiser for the Free Spanish Hounds group An DiPrima – who goes by the nickname Andi – told the Sunday Mail: “It’s something we want to raise awareness for.
“So many people just don’t know what is happening.”
The 39-year-old from Greenock, who has been rescuing Spanish hunting dogs since 2008 and is also an award-winning dog photographer, most recently adopted beautiful seven-year-old podenca Phara who she says is “crazy as a box of frogs”.
Andi added: “Every time I walk my dog, I get stopped by people who ask, ‘what kind of dog is that?’
“And just like with the march, I hope that whenever someone sees podencos and galgos they will wonder what kind of dog is that, and then research what’s going on in Spain and the terrible conditions.
“Maybe they might even decide to rescue one.”
Elaine Chadwick on the left with her Spanish dog at a previous protest(Image: Handout)
Elaine Chadwick, 60, who drove down from Aberdeen to join the protest with her three rescued podencos Carlos, Rico and Pippa, said she first learned of the plight of Spanish hunting dogs online around six years ago.
She said: “At first I thought it couldn’t possibly be real, that in this day and age, these dogs are getting so cruelly mistreated.
“It’s not even that they’re abandoned, it’s that they’re tortured. You can do anything you want to them – anything, and they do.
“Some people ask me why I am not looking after dogs from this country – and I used to. I volunteered at the SSPCA for three years.
“But with these dogs, there are thousands and thousands abandoned, battered, bruised, thrown down wells, hung up, their legs broken and there’s no prosecution.
“The law needs to be changed, and the more people that know about it, the more chance we’ve got of shaming Spain into doing that.”
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Elaine, who runs a dog collar business that donates a collar for every dog adopted through rehoming charity Hope for Podencos, added: “I would never now go on holiday to Spain.
“People should say they won’t go until they stop doing this to dogs because it’s abhorrent.”
Ironically, in 2023 the Spanish Parliament passed one of the most progressive animal welfare laws in Europe.
But despite calls from activists, it excluded hunting dogs from the legislation, classifying them as “tools” rather than animals in need of protection.
Campaigners say the Spanish government “effectively sanctioned their mistreatment”.
Teresa Rodriguez, of Plataforma NAC (No To Hunting), said: “Our message is simple: these dogs are not ‘tools’, they are living beings who deserve protection under the law.
“We’re urging visitors to Spain to speak out against these cruel practices and create diplomatic pressure.”