Marbella Police Rescue Severely Neglected Dog
In a recent operation, officers from the Marbella Local Police station have saved a dog that was discovered in a critical condition. The animal had been confined in a storage room for several months without access to food or water, and was tethered with a one-metre long rope.
Tip-off Leads to Discovery of Abandoned Dog
The police were conducting a surveillance operation when they received a tip about an abandoned dog in an area adjacent to a building near Parque de la Represa. Upon following the lead, they met with the property owner who revealed that the dog’s owner had been living illegally in the house and had vacated months ago, leaving the dog behind in the storage room.
Animal Found in Dire Condition
Upon entering the premises, the officers found a bull terrier tied up, showing signs of malnutrition, dehydration, and in a severely weakened state. The dog had visible injuries, likely due to the extremely unsanitary conditions of the area. The storage room was completely sealed off, and the dog had not had access to food or water, leading to signs of it having consumed its own waste due to the prolonged lack of sustenance.
Immediate Veterinary Care Provided
The officers promptly contacted the town hall’s veterinary health service, which took the dog to the Triple A Association of Friends of Abandoned Animals. Here, the dog received the necessary care. The town also checked the animal’s microchip and found that the original owner was a foreign citizen living in Benalmádena, whose current location is unknown.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Current Owner
The Local Police managed to locate the current caretaker of the dog, a 36-year-old man from Marbella. He claimed that the original owner had returned to his home country a year and a half ago, leaving the dog in his care. The police have initiated court proceedings against the man for alleged animal abuse.
Breaches of New Animal Welfare Regulations Reported
The police also reported several violations of Spain’s new animal welfare regulations. These included keeping the animal permanently locked in a storage room, abandoning it, not maintaining proper hygienic conditions, and failing to administer the necessary vaccinations and treatments. The new animal welfare law imposes fines of up to 10,000 euros for minor offences, 50,000 euros for serious infractions, and up to 200,000 euros for very serious crimes.
