Cordoba and Toledo – bad news for the galgos

There is very bad news and the future looks bleak for the galgos and podencos of Cordoba and Toledo. Asociacion Baas Galgo was given notice to leave the Villa del Rio kennels at Cordoba at the beginning of November, and they have been unsuccessful in purchasing land in Toledo to build a shelter. The dogs in their care have either been found homes across Europe or are with other associations and in kennels. Sandra will continue to work on behalf of the galgos from her new base in the US.

I first visited the Villa del Rio ‘shelter’ in June 2009 with a French galgo rescue association, and I have never been able to come to terms with the place. Believing it to be a refuge for abandoned galgos, I was disturbed to find posters inside advertising hunting with galgos and information about the hunting federation in the area. Outside there was a block of small cages – three high – in which resided small terriers. There were also stables and small turnout yards for horses. The whole was situated behind a huge – what looked to me – builders’ merchant.

I subsequently discovered that it was owned by the Vice President of the hunting federation in the area, a man who was Mayor of the area, a breeder of galgos. In other words, a man who was in an extremely powerful position to be able to do something to resolve the plight of the galgos – the annual massacre – rather than contributing towards it!

Information is that the association has had to leave because the owner is renting the kennels to a hunter – I suspect that it is the son who has now taken charge, as helping galgos is not on his list of ‘things to do’, and he will not want rescued galgos on the premises.

I am very sad for Baas Galgo as Sandra, Leticia and the team have done marvellous work helping galgos and podencos in both areas; Sandra has not been afraid to instigate court proceedings where it has been possible to prosecute a hunter for killing his galgos, and this bravery will be missed.

Good luck to all the associations who are now caring for the Baas Galgo dogs, they need your support and donations – including Little Pod Foundation, mark it ‘for the Baas podencos’. Kennel fees are 280 euros/week, before microchips, castrations etc.