Man’s cruelty again animals knows no bounds. Yet another sickening example – an 8 month old galgo puppy burned and forced to ingest acid. Photos on this link. Here’s a translation of the case.
Her name is Corcha. She’s an 8-month old little galga. She was burned with acid, forced to ingest it after a marriage ceremony, believe it or not! It happened in Merida. The poor thing is probably blind and will carry the scars (both mentally and physically) forever.
Those of you who have read my book will know that I mention how difficult it can be for animal rescue volunteers to work – when local people against them and their work – and especially if they make conplaints against acts of animal cruelty – take retaliatory action against, the volunteers, their families, their homes, cars…and in this case their dogs.
Pepis Refuge, near Seville, has become the latest victim of just such an horrendous and sickening act. Read about it here.
The drive down to Seville from Valladolid was expected to take about 6 hours or so, so I’d bought a box of Lee Child audio tapes to help pass the time during the long drive. Much of the countryside through which the motorways pass is flat and barren – the land burnt brown by the scorching heat of the sun – broken up spasmodically by a narrow range of mountains topped with wind turbines, or massive solar panel farms on the plains – Spain is certainly ahead of France (where I live) in alternative power sources. The UK can’t compete as they simply haven’t the land mass.
One very noticeable difference from my previous visits to Spain was the lack of movement on building work – new roads part completed – now void of cranes, earth movers, building materials, silent and static – huge apartment blocks simply left as empty concrete shells, ‘se vende’ or ‘se alquila’ signs everywhere. (for sale and to rent). Clear evidence of the recession.
I’ve just got back from a trip to Spain, catching up with friends and shelters and the animal rescue work going on. It’s a while since I’ve been; last year was out because I had serious shoulder injuries which required an operation; this year I had serious mobility problems with one of my horses. So my visit was somewhat overdue!
The planned route was Valladolid, Seville and Malaga; then drive straight back via Madrid. My first port of call was Cobie at Scooby Residencia Valladolid. I first met Cobie at a refuge in Cordoba back in June 2009 and she’s been a very useful and knowledgeable contact for me regarding the situation in Spain for the galgos.
Greyhounds in Need sponsors and rehomes many Spanish Galgos, and the charity is to benefit from money raised by Caroline Grebbell who says,
‘I am running the Paris 20k Marathon on 14th October 2012 and I would like my sponsorship money to go to the Galgo cause. I had a rescue lurcher for twelve years (she was found abandoned in Ireland) and plan to adopt another once my circumstances change in regard to work etc, but I feel I want to help however I can. If I can raise a bit of cash by staggering 12 miles through Paris then it will all be worth it! ‘
Please support Caroline by sponsoring her run, you can find all the details here.
http://www.justgiving.com/Caroline-Grebbell1
Province of Seville – September 2012 – the hellish life for galgos continues. This report from Macu, another incredible volunteer who works tirelessly to save the galgos and podencos from a hunting and gypsy village.
A report came to her about many animals in deplorable conditions a village of galgueros. A brave woman, she has been going to this village for 3 years to save dogs, she denounces them all the time and yet the authorities do nothing – Nada, Nada, she says! There is a galgo puppy, a 3 year old galga with a bad hip and a galga which was in danger of being stolen!
Two appeals here for help for galgos.
URGENT The first one is in Cordoba. The volunteer spotted her, the hunter was taking her to the perrera. She had obviously not long given birth, and now she is deemed useless. 7 years old and just a galgo puppy production line. Exploited without mercy. The volunteer pleaded with the hunter to hang on to Nadine for a few days whilst she found somewhere safe for the galga to go, as she has 5 dogs at home and has nowhere for this galga. She’s called Nadine. If anyone can help, urgently, please contact anateremm@gmail.com
This is Robin, 3 yrs old, very quiet, very good character, a little nervous but longs for a gentle caress and love. He was abandoned in the street with a black & white galga but she was not with him when he was caught. Now in a kennel in Valverde. Contact valverdeanimal@valverdeanimal.es
Here’s the original story. Paws for Thought (UK rescue) have taken on the task of saving the dogs, and now they only have Osa and Nelo, and the female escapee, to take out. The dogs are in foster homes and kennels. If you can help with rehoming, please contact Paws for Thought direct. And for those of you on Facebook, read more about the rescue and what has happened to the dogs here.
The hands and feet in this photo are of a Spanish hunter in Cordoba. The galga, Nadine – see the fear as he crushes her to him, has been a breeding machine for the last 6 years, recently taken away from her last batch of puppies. Now he no longer wants her and is taking her to the perrera. The volunteer has managed to persuade him to keep her a few days whilst she finds somewhere for the galga to go. Please has anyone room, as the volunteer has too many dogs already at home. She is chipped. URGENT. anateremm@gmail.com
The second appeal. September now, hunting has started, and still there are injured and starving galgos on the streets of Spanish towns and cities! This galgo has been on the streets for weeks, but was so terrified that he could not be caught – disappearing at times that the volunteers thought he had gone somewhere to die. But he has reappeared – they’ve called him Wasa, and now he has a shattered hind leg, scavenging around the dustbins on the streets – desperate.
