National Geographi Magazine – please write to them

Danielle Hart, who kindly translated my book into French, has been in correspondence with National Geographic magazine, read world-wide. So let’s help her persuade them to run an article on the plight of the Galgo. Please copy and paste the following letter and email it to rescor@ngs.org and askngs@nationalgeographic.com

Dear Sirs

The National Geographic is a widely-read magazine and, as such,it has the power to bring people’s attention to situations and problems around the world. It can also influence people and make a difference. There is a story in Spain that has never gotten international attention and should if there is any hope of resolving it.

The situation with the Galgo (Spanish hunting and racing dog) is horrific. Every year, upwards of 50,000 of those beautiful, kind, loyal and calm creatures are neglected, abused, tortured, abandoned and killed in horrific and sadistic ways. The “preferred” method of killing is called the “pianist method”. The dog is hung from a tree branch with a metal wire around his neck and his back legs still touching the ground, but barely. It can take DAYS for the poor animal to die in horrendous suffering. Galgueros (Spanish hunters) also kill their dogs by burning them alive, throwing them down abandoned wells to slowly die of hunger and thirst or simply abandoning them to fend for themselves, where they are often injured or killed in road accidents.

A lot of Spanish people consider these dogs to be vermin… quite a step down from the companion of royalty and aristocracy that the Galgo used to be.

Those poor dogs never know the warmth of a home, the kindness of a soothing touch, the good feeling of having a full belly and the love of a master. Their life is nothing but misery, hunger and pain.

It would bring worldwide attention to the problem and might put pressure on the Spanish government if a well-known magazine such as National Geographic were to do an article on the plight of the Galgo.

The story of the Galgo and its fall from grace would make for very interesting reading and would also shed some light on the relationship between people and animals in Spain. After all, in Europe, they stand apart in their ill treatment of all animals, not just Galgos, although the Galgos are by far getting the brunt of it.

I hope National Geographic finds this subject interesting enough and thought-provoking enough to make room for it in its pages and bring the plight of the Galgo to light so that, perhaps, we can put an end to it and allow these loyal dogs to finally live a decent life, free from pain and terror.

Thank you.

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