Here’s a report from Bev Farmer of Podenco Friends who has already got a couple of the rescued podencos on the ‘reserved for adoption’ list when their passports etc are in order.

‘Another terrible situation on Gran Canaria working together with Salva un Podenco g.c we are taking 4 adults and 4 puppies they are safe.

Whilst on our visit to Gran Canaria we were made aware of a another bad situation in Santa Brigida 17 Podencos and one mixed breed held in terrible conditions.

However we could not report any of this for the authorities on the island were investigating. Seprona stepped in and took action, all the dogs were removed, 10 were taken to the perrera for them to be assessed by the veterinary team there. Others went directly into veterinary care.

There was a pregnant female at the site in chains giving birth and she was in so much distress for she couldn’t comfort her two new born pups and was still in labour. Permission was given for mum & pups to go directly into veterinary care and now they are in foster care. She gave birth to 5 but sadly one of the pups did not survive the remaining four, for now are doing well. This is Uma.

Albergue de Banaderos perrera expedited the issue of microchips, passports, vaccinations initial blood tests and neutering of the pods to allow them to be released.

Working together with Miguel of Salva un Podenco g.c who has made all the arrangements to get them to safe haven, Podenco Friends has committed to taking four of the adult podencos which two have tested positive for filaria and will be treated before they can travel to us. Plus the mum Uma and her 4 pups who can not travel until after the summer. Some of the remaining adult Podencos have already been reserved though the perrera and some relocated on the island.

SEPRONA investigated the owner of the animals described as alleged perpetrator of a crime of animal abuse, typified in Article 337 of the Criminal Code, when presenting the animals in a deplorable physical state, failure to give them the due care and attention that the different regulatory frameworks dictate; Being available to the Court of First Instance and Instruction nº 6 of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

Seprona took action and with the cooperation of Banaderos Perrera on the Island and rescue groups the dogs were removed quickly… The owner will be prosecuted and it was all done correctly through legal channels and will send a message across the Island to others

A few days ago this Podenca, Lewa, was living in the worst imaginable conditions only 7 months old what a terrible start to her life.. Then thanks to a great team and the authorities on GC she is taken away to safe haven and late last night her family found her… Lewa is reserved and will making her way to the USA in the fall to a mom of 3 ibizan Hounds so she is in great company. She was considered worthless in GC by her hunter, she didn’t even merit the freedom to walk around, treated like a slave shackled to a wall. She is reserved andc Will soon be with her family who will give her all the freedom and love she deserves

So much of the abuse, neglect and cruelty of Podencos is hidden behind closed doors locked away from public view. To get the powers that be to take action can be difficult if the dogs have water shelter and food. Thankfully this rescue Seprona did remove the 18 dogs (17 of them podencos) . Uma was in labour and in great distress her puppies crying out for her. How many other litters has she had in the past and had to bring her babies into this world chained to a wall no comfortable blanket to lie on. Today she rests in comfort surrounded by her babies

https://www.facebook.com/PodencoFriends/videos/1543173692359809/

I hope readers not on fb can see the video – unfortunately I haven’t got another link for it.