Regular readers will remember the story a couple of years ago about the Container Dogs in Murcia and the hard work ACTIN association did, along with their lawyer, to try and get the dogs released. Sadly their work has been maligned publicly and the asso has been forced to issue yet another statement about the case.
‘Sorry to have to do this again but it still continues and it’s important for future cruelty cases in Spain, please ask people to share and spread the truth.
There is still a very bad rumour that the dogs involved in this case died, and for reasons that we don’t really understand but are currently being dealt with – the rumour says there was no case, or the dogs didn’t exist and other very damaging things.
Of course they existed and of course there was a case. It was a small step but a positive one and it needs to be recognised. Why? Because it encourages others to do the same as we did; when there is something wrong, don’t turn a blind eye. Things are moving forward in Spain and working together helps that to happen.
The source of this rumour is damaging animal welfare in Spain. Those that contributed any donations to the case, will likely be registered members on the Actin website and will have been given as much information as it came through, of the details.
However, as with all legal cases there are publishing restrictions in order not to harm the case – and in this one, it will likely be re-opened in the future, in order to make further improvements on how hunting dogs are kept.
Actin Association is covered by a data protection license, which is a legal requirement and we will put that into use, should the source of this rumour, continue. It is only a social media rumour – but still harmful. We are preparing now if it does continue to take the matter legal, as it has gone on too long. It has affected/obstructed other work, in fact a dog has died because of this, (not involved in the container case) but by obstructing the disabled dog’s rescue.
The source of the rumour has been provided with private details of the case which they did not acknowledge; a letter from the lawyer involved was also sent. When we try to show the proof asked for, there are contemptuous comments made!! BUT THEY CONTINUE TO MAKE COMMENTS WHICH ARE LIBELOUS, DESTRUCTIVE AND HARMFUL TO PEOPLE’S REPUTATIONS AND THE WORK THEY DO.
Many rescues are fed up with politics in animal welfare but this is not politics, it is a personal vendetta against people involved in this case and others, which is harmful and has created a great deal of hurt and disruption. I hope those that are fed up with issues like this, understand that this was a landmark case for animal welfare and we should be speaking out and not allowing that hard work to be treated so badly. How will others feel if they too want to do something like we have; we don’t want them to be afraid because they fear being shot down?
Trying to fight these practices by hunters and by farmers and people ignorant of the laws, is like swimming uphill and support is very important. Anyone who fights for animals knows that. My goal for Actin, was to do that as best I could, without any knowledge of how – but just to keep trying. I learned a lot along the way. Sadly I also learned that many people knock you down, especially if you stand up to wrong doing, or you do something different.
This case had been denounced many times before, by others, with no outcome, so we are proud that at least we got somewhere but we had a fantastic lawyer in Raquel López Teruel, of DeAnimals, who has assisted us with many things now – and is doing a great job of bringing awareness of the laws in Spain for animals – in fact it was the container dog case that helped to highlight this.
The authorities were slow and when the summer months came it was distressing knowing these dogs were in a boiling hot container and were 3 hours away. A very distressed witness Inna Tarasiuk first reported it,(who by now can be named) and will be sure to tell you that these poor souls did exist, and we did all we could.The dogs all survived and lucky for these will remain alive until natural causes take them, as they are regularly monitored. There are more reports on the website of this case from the outset.
For people genuinely interested, please go to the website link and see the latest update from November 2015, with photos of the inside of the now dog habitable container. However, we state again that psychologically and health wise for these dogs, we still do not agree that this is a good way, or an environment for dogs to be kept.
The practice of hunters keeping dogs in containers is by no means over – but people should support the abolishment of keeping hunting dogs in horrible conditions, not harm the process by spreading rumours, which in turn cause harm to animals.
This post is about animal welfare advocacy, nothing else and please respect that. We have to fight for rights of animals but should not have to fight for vindication, against untruths and rumours.
Thank you