Calls for better protection of pets

While thousands of pets will be paraded through the centres of towns and villages across the Balearics today to be blessed by the local priest, the Association for Animal Welfare (La Asociación para el Bienestar de los Animales) yesterday called for a shake up of legislation protecting domestic animals. While some parts of Spain still lack any concrete legislation protecting domestic animals and no autonomous governments “prohibit the indiscriminate sacrifice of abandoned animals” the association is calling for a radical change. According to the association, every year around 100'000 abandoned pets, the majority being dogs, are put down by municipal dog pounds. A spokesperson for the association said that some pounds sacrifice 70 per cent of new arrivals “systematically.” The association plans to lobby central government for improvements in the law, but will also be simultaneously launching a public awareness campaign to gather public support.