“Majorca doesn't want us...”

PALMA
AROUND 30 people turned up at Palma airport yesterday morning to hold a protest on behalf of the “Centro Canino Internacional”, the animal refuge centre in Palma forced to close its doors 10 days ago on the orders of the City Council.

Leading the demonstration against the Council's decision, which the Centro Canino unanimously claims is without foundation, was Juan Gil the refuge's President. To a backdrop of protesters waving banners reading “Majorca doesn't want us,” Gil said that the protest had passed without any incident and that it had not been the intention of the group to disrupt any activity at the airport.

With megaphone in hand and in several languages, Gil led the members and friends of the Centro Canino in a denunciation of the policies of Palma City Council. Some of the banners waved by the protesters made particular reference to Health Councillor, Begoña Sanchez who had allegedly used inappropriate sound level tests at the homes of residents next to the refuge as the basis for the eviction order. “Complaints by a couple of neighbours about noise at night should not have prompted the Council to take noise level readings during the day-time,” said Gil. The refuge, previously located on rural land in Palma, had long claimed that there was no possible cause for disturbance at night because the dogs slept in soundproof kennels.

Award to be returned
Gil said yesterday that the protests were set to continue and that an award plaque, given to the refuge by the Council just three months earlier in recognition of its “outstanding work to protect animals” will be returned. “The Council have caused us a great deal of harm,” said Gil. “Even if it's just to the City Council doorman, the award is going back.” The refuge is reportedly continuing to attend to animals that “don't make any noise.” The dogs which were forced to leave have meanwhile been adopted by families in Holland. They were accompanied on their journey from Palma airport by a Dutch member of the Centro Canino.

The matter has not remained a local one as the Dutch press have got hold of the story and have printed an account of the Centro Canino's battle with the Council.