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Two starving dogs dumped from car boot in Caravaca de la Cruz
The two puppies were found on the outskirts of Caravaca in a condition vets described as life-threatening
Three people have been charged with crimes against animals following an investigation by the Guardia Civil in Caravaca de la Cruz, after two puppies were thrown from the boot of a car and abandoned on the outskirts of the town in a condition described by vets as severely malnourished and life-threatening.
The incident came to light when an off-duty Local Police officer witnessed a driver stopping their vehicle, opening the boot and dumping the two young mixed-breed dogs before driving away.
The officer immediately contacted colleagues, who were dispatched to the location and found the puppies shortly afterwards. Both animals were in a seriously poor state, showing clear signs of prolonged neglect, and were taken straight to a local veterinary clinic for treatment.
Veterinary reports confirmed the dogs were suffering from severe malnutrition and cachexia, with pale mucous membranes and lethargy, and concluded that their condition had developed over an extended period of time rather than being the result of a short-term lapse in care.
One of the puppies had also had part of its tail removed, a practice known as caudectomy, which is illegal in Spain unless carried out under veterinary prescription for documented therapeutic reasons.
The Local Police passed the case to the Guardia Civil's Nature Protection Patrol, known as Seprona, who launched ‘Operation Slim’ and took over the investigation. Officers gathered veterinary evidence from both the clinic that provided initial treatment and the rescue organisation that subsequently took in the dogs for ongoing care and eventual adoption.
That evidence, combined with witness accounts and further inquiries, led investigators to identify and locate all three suspects, who have now been charged as alleged perpetrators of crimes against animals.
Late last month, Local police officers stopped a car in the Murcia district La Alberca and were shocked to find the vehicle’s boot crammed full of cages and crates containing live puppies, older dogs, cats and birds.
Needless to say, the poor animals were being transported in extremely unsanitary and uncomfortable conditions, and neither of the two occupants of the car could produce any documentation for the pets.
Images: Guardia Civil
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