Join the protest against the abuse of Spanish hunting dogs!

14-01-2025

On February 2, 2025, CAS International will protest in Utrecht and several Spanish cities against hunting with dogs in Spain. On this day, more than 45 European cities will hold protest marches featuring adopted hunting dogs to draw attention to the horrific fate of these animals. This initiative is part of the Spanish campaign “No A la Caza” (No to Hunting).

The suffering of Spanish hunting dogs

Each year, over 20 million animals are killed by the hunting industry in Spain. There are more than 2 million hunting dogs, such as galgos and podencos. These dogs are widely exploited, and the majority do not survive their first hunting season. It is estimated that at least 50,000 dogs are abandoned every year after the hunting season. They are hanged from trees, thrown into wells, or simply discarded like used objects—because hunters no longer need them.

Volunteers from around the world dedicate themselves to rescuing these dogs and supporting overcrowded Spanish shelters.

Spanish Legislation

The Spanish Animal Welfare Law (Ley de Bienestar Animal) completely excludes hunting dogs from protection. This leaves these animals unprotected and vulnerable to abuse. Efforts are ongoing at the political level to end this tradition and ensure protection for these dogs. Our hope lies in the European proposal for the protection of dogs and cats.

Research into Hunting in Spain

For years, CAS International and AnimaNaturalis have been working together to improve the welfare of hunting dogs. We conduct research and lobby the government to implement legal protections for these animals.

In 2021 and 2022, we investigated kennels at 29 hunting sites. We found hunting dogs living in appalling conditions: they were confined in their own excrement and relied on contaminated drinking water. Veterinarians involved in our research observed behaviors indicative of prolonged captivity. Many dogs were chained, restricting their movement, and showed signs of poor health, such as lameness.

🇪🇸🐕🎥 NUEVO VÍDEO | ASÍ VIVEN LOS PERROS DE CAZA EN ESPAÑA

Durante 2021-2022, @AnimaNaturalis y @CAS_Int documentamos 29 cheniles de perros utilizados para la caza, viviendo entre sus propios excrementos, con el agua sucia o congelada, expuestos a las inclemencias del clima… pic.twitter.com/cF3q3VG4bn

— AnimaNaturalis (@AnimaNaturalis) September 29, 2022

In 2023, our research focused on “monterías,” a hunting method where groups of dogs chase, attack, and kill large animals like wild boars and deer. This practice, banned in most European countries, causes severe animal suffering—for both the hunting dogs and the hunted animals. The scene includes severely injured dogs, stabbing incidents, animals in agonizing death throes, and hunters stitching up their dogs’ wounds without veterinary supervision.

Investigation reveals cruelties in Spanish hunting with dogs

Protest in Utrecht

The protest in Utrecht is organized by the GalgoPodencoPlatform, of which CAS International is a member. Everyone is welcome—people and dogs alike. Together, we can make a difference.

Date: February 2, 2025
Location: Utrecht (and 45 other European cities)
Time: Starting at 1:00 PM at Jaarbeursplein (from there, we will walk to Vredenburg)

Would you like to join CAS International in protesting in Utrecht? Let us know! Send an email to estefania@cas-international.org.

Please sign our petition for a better protection of dogs used to hunt in Spain!

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