Guardia Civil investigates 18 people after rescuing 75 dogs and two farm animals in Cádiz

Animals were found chained, tied to trees or left beside rusty drums in poor conditions

The Guardia Civil is investigating 18 people in Cádiz after rescuing 75 dogs, a donkey and a mare from a series of poor conditions across several towns in the province. The animals were found in Ubrique, Benamahoma, Algodonales, Puerto Serrano, El Gastor, Prado del Rey, Grazalema and Villamartín, where officers say many had been chained or tied to trees and rusty drums, exposed to the elements.

According to the Guardia Civil, more than 22 animal abuse and abandonment offences have now been uncovered. The animals were kept in makeshift facilities and, in many cases, were living in very poor conditions, with neglect and malnutrition also reported.

The operation was carried out by Seprona, the Nature Protection Service, which inspected several of the sites after being alerted to the situation. Officials said citizen cooperation was “fundamental” in warning the Guardia Civil, allowing officers to open an investigation with several lines of inquiry and act quickly to protect the animals.

The rescue effort also involved veterinarians from the Regional Agricultural Office and the Municipal Veterinary Health Service, who helped assess the animals and support the operation. Once removed from the properties, the animals were handed over to several authorised animal protection associations. They are now at the disposal of the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office.

Alongside the criminal investigation, 80 administrative complaints have also been filed. Most relate to animal welfare, unsuitable accommodation, lack of food and water, poor hygiene, and the absence of veterinary care or the proper documentary and health records.

The case highlights the scale of the problem found by officers during the inspection work, with the Guardia Civil stressing that the conditions in which the animals were kept were not acceptable. The rescued dogs, donkey and mare have now been taken out of those environments, while the investigation continues.

Image: Guardia Civil