Whilst the plight of the podencos does not have the same high profile as that of the galgos, they suffer a similar life at the hands of the Spanish hunters, especially on the Spanish Islands, the Canary Islands near Africa and the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean.
Here, one podenco passionata writes about them.
'The reality is that the life of a podenco is in the hands of "thugs", this is the same as the life of the Galgos, adding to his miserable life also by suffering abandonment by the vast majority of Spanish society. Increasingly they share the same hardships, are also exploited for the same purposes, are just as abused, scraping by in hideouts dark, damp, crowded together, no light, no ventilation, the floor covered with dog dirt, being walk on, and occasionally being thrown a loaf of bread in order to "eat."
Females are also exploited, constantly pregnant and giving birth. When they can no longer meet the purposes for which they are kept, (farming and hunting) they are also killed, thrown into dry wells, one above another, dying of starvation, or hanged, beaten to death, burned alive, leaving them in agony lying anywhere until they die, or a bullet at a particular site in the head.
Abandoned, their bodies filled with lead shot, left in the mouth with chains so they can not eat , left half dead with horrific injuries from beatings.
And those who are left to their fate in a field, on roads, starving to death or run over by a truck. Many have been rescued from appalling conditions, but with proper care have held onto life, and many get out of the hell to which they have been subjected. Many are collected by the perreras, .., well the only good thing I can say about this is that there at least, if they comply with the ridiculous laws, you might get lucky during the days set for slaughter and someone might just go in and rescue them to rehome. But this unfortunately doesn't happen often for the number of podencos there are in the perreras.
The vast majority of people prefer to adopt other dog breeds. I think that is a wonderful act, but it is always the same …. the podencos, sad, helpless, scared to death, forgotten. Many animal welfare organisations help Podencos in their shelters, thank God these are more lucky, because life there can be tough, with lack of resources, but at least they have a gentle touch, a word of love, understanding of love, encouragement, thank you to volunteers. They take the time necessary to find a good adoption family.
Podencos and Galgos in Spain, live, die and are left in the same way between the hands of "thugs". This website is dedicated to the Podencos to talk about the life and character of these dogs, you'll see (thanks to people who want to share with us their experiences) videos and photo testimonials from people who share their life with a Podenco and so in this way see a little more closely what wonderful companion dogs they are, with the hope that they know a little more, and give to these beautiful dogs in our country the place that they also deserve.'
Paloma Maestud