Podencos dogs found in miserable condition

SOMOS GOS, an animal protection association, reported two Altea la Vieja huntsmen for ill-treating eight dogs.

The association lodged formal complaints with the Guardia Civil’s nature protection unit Seprona, the Local Police and the town hall after spotting the Ibizan hounds in two cages on private land.

They had no food and two were on such tight leashes that they could not reach their green and stagnant water, alleged the association. One had since died, Somos Gos said: “It was in a woeful condition, completely dehydrated with neck wounds from the chains used to tether it.”

The owners were contacted but refused to hand over the dogs to Somos Gos as requested. The law would nevertheless be applied “to its ultimate consequences,” confirmed Altea’s Health councillor Gregorio Alvado.

The two men’s hunting permits would be withdrawn, he said, and although the dogs were still caged they were inspected regularly by Local Police officers.

The hounds were now adequately fed and had been seen by a vet but stricter measures needed to be taken, Somos Gos said.