Here is the report from Laura Johnson of thekennelklub, Lanzarote, on the court case against the bastard who so abused this poor podenca. She continues to make good progress and, when she is fit to travel, there is the offer of a home in the UK with another blind podenco. Fingers crossed.
‘After a promising day yesterday (26/11/2015), today is not such good news. Tata/Angelique’s owner has been convicted this morning for abandonment – a 360€ fine and a 6 month ban from owning animals. We were unable to prove animal abuse.
Disappointed to say the least. We had hoped for a more severe sentence that reflected what this poor dog has endured, a more severe sentence to deter any future animal abusers.
Her ‘owners’ name is Jose Luis Alvarez Rodriguez. The laws and their enforcement need to change and NOW!
More than 550,000 people have been following Angelique’s story, we need the world to know how much these dogs suffer in Spain and how little their lives are worth. We need to make a change, for Angelique and all of the dogs like her.
On a more positive note, 2 years ago, this case would not have even made it to the courts, Angelique’s owner is the first to be convicted on the island since the new abandonment laws were introduced – it is a tiny step but a step non the less. More importantly, Angelique is alive and we hope will go on to live a long and happy life surrounded by love and receive the treatment she deserves.
Thank you to Beverley Farmer from Podenco Friends for her ongoing support, to Seprona of the Guardia Civil and the Policia Local for doing everything they could, to the hunting association for their support and donation of 300€ and to all of you for caring, sharing and donating.
We will keep you updated on Angelique’s progress.’
NB The DeAnimals lawyer based in Murcia who is prosecuting several cases of animal abuse on mainland Spain reports that she obtained a satisfactory result in one recent case where an on-line petition raised 50,000 signatories. She printed it off and presented it in court where the judge took into consideration when delivering his verdict. So it is worth signing a petition in such cases.
This is the weblink to DeAnimals – the website is shortly to be updated for English speakers too.