Many are either left to fend for themselves or taken to kill shelters. Others are left to die down wells, with cruel owners blocking up the entrance with wood so there is no chance of escape.
DANNY BUCKLAND: ‘Thousands of greyhounds are facing terrifying deaths after being thrown down wells, tied to railway lines or abandoned next-to busy roads as the end of Spain’s hunting season approaches. Selfish “pet owners” discard the working dogs, known as galgos, so they do not have to pay for food to keep them alive after the season ends. Animal welfare campaigners estimate that Spain has 200,000 registered galgueros, who own up to ten dogs each, and that up to 50,000 greyhounds are abandoned at the end of each season. Charities struggle to cope with the influx of abandoned dogs, many of whom are either left to fend for themselves or taken to kill shelters. Others are left to die down wells, with cruel owners blocking up the entrance with wood so there is no chance of escape…
Galgos, a member of the sighthound family and distant relations to British greyhounds, are used for hunting and for hare coursing… Anna Clements, who is leading a campaign to save the greyhounds, said: ‘This is Spain’s dirty secret and something tourists rarely see”… Galgos are regarded as working dogs and exempt from animal welfare legislation that covers pets. ‘”They are often kept in dungeons in the dark for most of the day and fed poorly so they are more eager from prey when they are let out,’ added Manchester-born Anna, who know lives with her vet husband Albert in Barcelona where they run the SOS Galgos charity. ‘The lucky ones are found and have a chance – others are left to die, often alone, in excruciating pain’. SOURCE…