A protest will take place in Glasgow demanding an end to hunting with dogs in Spain.

On Saturday, January 31, hundreds of people and their dogs are expected to take part in the NAC Peaceful Protest, organised by Free Spanish Hounds, which will start at Glasgow Green at 10.45am.

Protets are also planned in London, Manchester and Exeter the same weekend, as well as 45 Spanish cities.

The coordinated action coincides with the end of the Spanish hunting season on February 1, when up to 100,000 dogs – primarily Galgos and Podencos – are abandoned or killed each year.

Organisers say many of the dogs are treated with extreme cruelty during their lifetime, and the methods used to kill unwanted dogs are brutal and often designed to extend their suffering.

In 2023, despite hopes for progress, the Spanish Parliament excluded hunting dogs from Spain’s new animal welfare law.

In response to classifying these dogs as “tools”, Free Spanish Hounds, a UK-based volunteer organisation, was formed in the summer of 2023 to raise awareness, bring meaningful legal protection for the animals used in the industry and stand in solidarity with the Spanish advocacy group.

Teresa Rodriguez, who organises NAC’s international protests, said: “Every February, tens of thousands of dogs are treated as disposable.

“Our message is simple: these dogs are not ‘tools’, they are living beings who deserve protection under the law.

“By mobilising internationally, we’re urging visitors to Spain to speak out against these cruel practices and create diplomatic pressure on the Spanish administration.”

She continued: “Awareness is growing among Spanish citizens, but many politicians still put tradition and business interests ahead of animal welfare.

“With international support, including the peaceful protests in the UK and across Europe, we will keep pushing until there is real, enforceable protection for these dogs.”

Adva Shimshy, one of the founders of Free Spanish Hounds, added: “Now in their third year, our peaceful protests are expanding as we continue raising awareness of the suffering of Spanish hunting dogs, which continues in plain sight.

“We will stand with campaigners in Spain for as long as it takes until Galgos and Podencos are finally given the legal protection they deserve and desperately need.”

You can find out more at www.freespanishhounds.co.uk.