Authorities from the Civil Guard arrested an individual in connection with a troubling incident at a local animal shelter in the Marina Alta region. The case centers on the alleged theft of three cats and the death of another, events that occurred inside the shelter’s premises. The arrest was reported to the Dénia Investigation Court No. 2 as part of the ongoing investigation into animal welfare violations and related criminal activity.
On July 26, investigators learned from a guardian of the shelter that a cat had been stolen and another cat was killed on site by an unidentified person. Responding promptly, the Verger Nature Conservation Patrol, known as PAPRONA, launched a comprehensive inquiry. The team carried out extensive checks, interviewed multiple guardians in the area, and coordinated with local police to gather evidence and establish a timeline of the incidents. The combined efforts of these authorities helped to narrow the field to a single suspect as the investigation progressed.
In the first phase of the inquiry, agents held several meetings with animal guardians throughout the Marina Alta area and requested their cooperation with local law enforcement. The collaboration proved vital, and with the support of the Verger Local Police, investigators identified the individual believed to be responsible for the actions reported at the shelter. The person turned out to be a 28-year-old Spanish national living in Verger. Investigators discovered that this individual had previously owned another cat belonging to a different guardian, later reporting a disappearance to justify a new adoption attempt. The guardian involved did not find this explanation credible and blocked the adoption request. The pattern raised serious concerns about a potential motive and premeditation behind the acts observed at the shelter.
Following the accumulation of sufficient evidence linking the suspect to the reported events, on August 1 the Civil Guards began detaining the individual at Verger’s official premises. The suspect faced charges related to forced robbery and animal abuse; the latter charge is specifically tied to the death of a cat reported in the earlier incident. The arrest represented a significant step in the case and reflected the seriousness with which authorities treat crimes against animals and the safety of shelter environments.
Further examination of available evidence indicated that the detainee may have engaged in similar conduct in the past. Investigators determined that the defendant was responsible for stealing two additional cats from the same shelter during July. Records suggested that these animals subsequently died while under the suspect’s control, with their bodies reportedly disposed of near the shelter facilities or within areas associated with the suspect’s residence. The discovery of these additional acts underscored a troubling pattern and prompted prosecutors to widen the scope of the investigation to determine whether other similar offenses had occurred previously, potentially indicating a broader trajectory of harm. The case drew attention to the need for heightened vigilance in animal welfare environments and the importance of swift, coordinated action when suspicious activity is detected near shelters and guardians who rely on such facilities for protection and care of vulnerable animals.
The Dénia Judicial Party No. 2 Investigation Court was informed about the ongoing proceedings related to the detainee and monitoring of the case continued as further evidence was gathered. The collaborative efforts among the Civil Guard, Verger Local Police, and shelter guardians demonstrated how local authorities can work together to uncover and address acts of animal cruelty while ensuring due process and the safety of the community involved. No further public statements were issued as the legal process advanced, with authorities focusing on presenting a thorough and transparent account of the facts to the court as required by the judicial system.