REPORTING ANIMAL ABUSE, CRUELTY OR NEGLECT IN SPAIN

We at protectapet take the protection and welfare of animals extremely seriously. Which is why we wish to discuss the distressing subject of Animal Cruelty, how to prevent it, how to look out for it and how to report Animal abuse.

What we do have to remember, is that pets in Spain are not as pampered as perhaps we are used to. Dogs, are mostly used as working dogs here in Spain, So before you denounce your neighbour for keeping his Dog chained up in his yard… remember that as long as it has food, fresh water and shelter from extreme weather of any type… then the Police may not agree that depriving it of a blanket is tantamount to animal abuse.

HOW DO I REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE NEAR ME?

One of the big problems for most Expats or non-Spanish speaking people in Spain, and perhaps the biggest contingent of animal lovers, is the fear of retribution when reporting animal abuse and how to report animal abuse properly.

To report an act of animal cruelty, mistreatment, neglect, injury or distress in Spain, you must go to the police in person and make a written report, called a denuncia. This must be done at your local Police Comisaría.

• Take as much evidence as you can. Photos, videos, dates… anything you can think of.
• If you can provide directions and a map, this will also help
• You will also need to take some identification. NIE / Residencia or a passport
• The Guardia Civil officer will help you to fill out a denuncia. A copy of this will be passed to Seprona to investigate – but you should also receive a copy

We at Protectapet have provided an online document with helpful advise on how to fill it out correctly in order to make the process easier. Simply fill in this Denuncia online, print a copy and take it to your local police station.

You can follow up your report of animal abuse or neglect later on by taking your copy of the denuncia to the station.

Reporting Animal Cruelty in Spain, when you do see something serious, you can rest assured that Seprona (the environmental division of the Guardia Civil) do take these things seriously.

Seprona (Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza) is a Guardia Civil unit that manages nature conservation and animal welfare across Spain. You can also email Seprona on seprona@guardiacivil.org.

Note 1: the individual formulating the denuncia needs to identify him/herself as the law dictates that, but this denuncia only serves to inform the relevant authorities and they will act against the denounced party, not the individual that informed the authorities.

Note 2: You will need to be fairly fluent in Spanish to follow the instructions on this website, so if you´re not, ask a friend who is to assist you.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE ANIMAL ABUSE?

Animal cruelty involves gratuitously inflicting harm, injuring, or killing an animal. The cruelty can be intentional, such as kicking, burning, stabbing, beating, or shooting; or it can involve neglect, such as depriving an animal of water, shelter, food, and necessary medical treatment.

When should you call report a neighbour for animal cruelty?

Some of the situations in which you should always report to the police are: 

• The pet in question seems sick or malnourished. 
• The pet has poor living conditions. 
• The owner doesn't respond to your offers to resolve the issue calmly.

What is considered pet neglect?

Animal neglect situations are those in which the animal's caretaker or owner fails to provide food, water, shelter or veterinary care sufficient for the pets survival. It can be either deliberate or unintentional, but either way, the animal suffers terribly.

What is the difference between animal abuse and neglect?

Intentional cruelty means someone has purposely inflicted physical harm or injury on an animal. Unintentional cruelty, or neglect, could mean an animal has been denied the basic necessities of care, including food, water, shelter, or veterinary care. ... Animals without shelter in extreme heat or cold.

SPAIN APPROVES NEW LAW RECOGNISING ANIMALS AS ‘SENTIENT BEINGS’

Animals in Spain will no longer be considered as “objects” by the law thanks to new legislation passed on Thursday by Spain’s lower house, the Congress of Deputies.

From now on, animals will be treated as “sentient beings,” (The definition of sentience is 'the ability to perceive or feel things'. Sentient creatures have the ability to receive information from their environment and to feel and react to that information, whether they show fear, happiness or indifference) and as such will have a different legal standing than an inanimate object. They will no longer be able to be seized, abandoned, mistreated or separated from one of their owners in the case of a divorce or separation, without having their wellbeing and protection taken into account.

WHAT PENALTIES OCCUR FROM CAUSING ABUSE OR NEGLECT TO ANIMALS IN SPAIN?

Spain's current Penal Code imposes a penalty of three months to one year for cruelly mistreating pets or unjustifiably causing death or serious physical impairment. This legislation applies only to pets, and it is not clear whether this legislation protects animals from suffering caused by a failure to act.

Please note the information provided of the current legislation it is not legal advice but Is provided freely for you to be properly informed. We recommend that if you are considering taken any action you should seek professional advice.