Former Triple A Animal Welfare Heads Face Jail Time
The ex-leaders of Marbella’s Triple A animal welfare association are staring down the barrel of a prison sentence. They stand accused of a litany of crimes including animal cruelty, document falsification, unqualified practice, misappropriation, incorrect administration, violation of workers’ rights, and Social Security fraud.
Prosecutor Seeks Lengthy Sentences
The public prosecutor spearheading the trial has recommended a hefty 18-year sentence for the president (B.P) and a 10-year sentence for the vice-president (A.D). A document viewed by SUR reveals that domestic animals were killed on a large and unjustified scale, with the sole aim of cutting costs and using part of the facilities for private gain.
Unqualified Euthanasia Practices
The document further reveals that euthanasia products were used without the necessary veterinary knowledge. The doses administered were below the recommended levels in a bid to save costs, leading to the slow and painful death of animals, primarily healthy puppies.
Volunteers Blow the Whistle
The alleged crimes, which took place between 2011 and 2016, were brought to light by a group of shelter volunteers. The Guardia Civil conducted several inspections of the premises, discovering the bodies of pets, some with injuries, others having been “illegally sacrificed”.
Additional Offences
The prosecutor’s report also alleges that the accused took possession of several dogs that had been lost by their owners, and subsequently put them up for adoption abroad, receiving money in return. Many of the animals that arrived at the facility were microchipped, but if they were purebred or small, they were not returned to their owners. Instead, they were stripped of their microchips and sold, as they were in high demand in northern Europe.
Financial Misappropriation
Both the president and the vice-president are accused of misusing 20,426 euros of Triple A’s funds for unrelated payments and taking possession of an additional 38,618 euros belonging to the association. The prosecutor also alleges that B.P. evaded social security contributions amounting to 246,839.46 euros between January 2012 and December 2015.
Violation of Workers’ Rights
The document also accuses B.P. of employing a worker, D.D., without holiday entitlement in 2011 and 2012, with the intention of undermining workers’ rights.
Compensation Demands
The defendants are required to compensate the association 59,044 euros for improper and unjustified expenses, as well as 40,981 euros for international adoptions. They must also compensate the owners of the dogs given up for adoption, with amounts ranging from 500 to 1,500 euros each, and the treasury for the amount of 246,839.46 euros for the amount defrauded from the social security system.
