BRUTAL ATTACK IN TOLEDO

With regard to the recent robbery and brutal mutilation in Toledo (Spain) of a dog, whose body was found in a rubbish container, where she had bled to death during the night after her legs had been cut off with an axe, Altarriba Foundation wishes to state that:

1. Such atrocities occur on a daily basis in Spain. They go unpunished, owing to the failure of the relevant authorities to take action to protect defenseless animals and their owners.

2. Every year Spanish protection societies rescue  hundreds of domestic animals that have been mutilated, hanged, thrown over cliffs, had their throats cut, been poisoned, shot or struck with an axe. We have no support from the authorities at any level and, very often  the police do not even intervene to identify the perpetrators.

3. Even if not broadcast, events of this nature (including dog-fighting, the hanging of greyhounds and attacks on dog shelters) are becoming increasingly common and more and more vicious. However, at official level, both nationally and internationally, either it is denied that they take place or they are described as isolated incidents.

4. The Spanish Penal Code does not describe these actions as crimes, and the punishments it imposes are so light that we have to take the perpetrators (when identified) before administrative courts, to get at least a reasonable fine.

5. The Spanish Penal Code is currently undergoing significant amendment, but there has been no revision of the content relating to the maltreatment of animals, even though it had been promised and even though relevant amendments have been suggested; these have been ignored.

6. Any legal initiative to improve the status of animals  in Spain, is meticulously examined  so to ensure that it does not subsequently affect bull-fighting; an activity so uncompromisingly protected at political level that the widespread abuse and maltreatment of all animals is tolerated.

7. In 2002,  after the brutal attack  on 15 dogs in Reus, in a  two-month national campaign coordinated by Altarriba Foundation, 600.000 people of different ideologies signed a petition calling for cruelty to animals to be classified as a crime in Spain. Today, most Spanish voters support resolute and serious legislation against animal abuse, which would also ensure better co-existence between humans.

8. Animal protection societies often see how complaints about cruelty to animals are covered up or “lost” on official' desks

9. The current level of violence against animals in Spain is indefensible, and places us among the worst of the developed countries, with a reputation abroad for brutality which is also denied at political level.

10. We ask our authorities  to take a clear and public stand against cruelty to animals, free from the need to be “political correct”., and to accept the views of the majority of the citizens whom they serve.

Following on from the previous point, we hope that Spain will join the growing number of western countries that have already condemned the slaughter of seals in Canada,  an initiative disdained last year by the same politicians who now govern our country.

The Altarriba Foundation, as a parallel measure, supports the fiscal objection campaign, launched by StopOurShame, to put an end to the injection of public money into activities involving cruelty and ill-treatment to animals, which is usually accompanied by linguistic palliatives and has well-known supporters.

Finally, we demand the political will to carry out a thorough reform of the Penal Code, as promised, and a serious, resolute and realistic national legislation, in accord with the will of the citizens, which imposes severe penalties for actions of this kind, that keep Spain “dark” and “impenetrable”, both adjectives which, in the light of the current situation, are clearly well- deserved.

Fundación Altarriba, Amigos de los Animales. 
Barcelona, May 24th 2007