The investigation continues into the 27 dogs found dead in a van that was transporting them to Palma

The Civil Guard is continuing its investigation into the deaths of 27 hunting dogs found dead in a van traveling in the hold of a ship in the port of Palma. Investigators from the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) are awaiting the results of necropsies to determine the circumstances of the animals' deaths, sources from the force indicated. The bodies were discovered on Saturday morning inside a van traveling on a ship from Barcelona that had just docked in Palma. Apparently, a group of hunters from Mallorca had spent several days in Lithuania training 36 dogs for the woodcock hunting season. Of all these animals, which were being transported back to the island in a van, only nine arrived alive. The Seprona (Nature Protection Service) of the Civil Guard Command in the Balearic Islands took charge of the investigation from the outset, and officers are awaiting the results of necropsies performed on some of the dogs. The Balearic Hunting Federation regrets the dogs' deaths.

The Balearic Hunting Federation has expressed its sorrow over the deaths of 27 dogs and noted that other dogs in the group were also seriously injured. The president of the Balearic organization, Marta Lliteres, conveyed her support to the dog owners, who stated they are "deeply affected by the incident." In a statement, the organization emphasized that for any hunter, their dogs are not simply working animals, but "inseparable" companions, the result of years of dedication and affection. According to the federation, the hunters had hired a company specializing in animal transport to ensure the dogs' well-being and safety. The journey from Lithuania to Barcelona proceeded normally, and it was during the sea voyage to Palma that 27 of the 36 animals being transported on the ship died.

Nevertheless, the Balearic Hunting Federation has offered its full cooperation with the authorities and reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, animal welfare, and ethical and responsible hunting.

PACMA demands greater protection

The animal rights party PACMA has demanded that the Catalan government include hunting dogs in the Animal Protection Law and the Decree on Zoological Facilities to prevent incidents like this one. The party believes this incident exemplifies the treatment of dogs used for hunting, which, it asserts, "are considered tools and not beings that feel and have rights." The political group points out that they were excluded from the Animal Welfare Law due to pressure from hunting industry interest groups. PACMA also requests the inclusion of these animals in the Decree on Zoological Facilities, from which, they claim, there are plans to exclude them, "to guarantee controls and minimum conditions for transport, rest, and safety." According to a study conducted by the animal rights party in 2023, using data reported by a third of the animal shelters in Spain, more than 12,000 hunting dogs were abandoned in Spain that year alone. "As long as hunting dogs remain outside the legal framework for protection, they will continue to be victims of an industry that exploits them, puts them at risk, and discards them when they are no longer useful," the statement concludes.