In Tomelloso, the Civil Guard is conducting an investigation into two individuals suspected of severe animal abuse, with authorities detailing a pattern of malnutrition and poor health care among the animals. Veterinary teams from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, alongside Seprona officers, discovered a hoarding situation at a residence that held 43 dogs and a horse. The animals were kept outside the bounds of established animal health and welfare standards, prompting swift action from the authorities to safeguard their wellbeing and assess the extent of the neglect.
Investigators noted that a chilling accumulation of dead animals, particularly dogs, had occurred over a prolonged period. Numerous corpses were found in a state that raised concerns about how they were stored and disposed of. After the dogs and the horse were accounted for, the remaining bodies were collected and handed over to a competent manager tasked with disposing of them in a manner that meets health and safety guidelines, ensuring the process posed no risk to the public or other animals.
The owners of the animals reportedly resisted voluntary intervention by municipal services and the Ministry, necessitating the involvement of judicial authorities. The Civil Guard sought assistance from the Civil Court of First Instance in Tomelloso to obtain the necessary authorization to intervene, remove the living animals, and arrange for the transport of the living and dead animals as part of the enforcement of welfare standards and public safety requirements. The court issued an order authorizing the removal and transport activities, and set forth the procedures to be followed to complete the operation in a timely and lawful fashion.
The case underscores the responsibilities of local and regional authorities to enforce animal welfare laws and to act decisively when animals are kept in conditions that jeopardize their health. It also highlights the importance of clear legal processes that enable welfare agencies to intervene when owners or caretakers fail to provide adequate care. As the investigation proceeds, officials are coordinating with veterinary specialists to assess the animals’ current conditions, determine any necessary medical treatment, and establish a plan for rehabilitation or humane outcomes where appropriate, all while ensuring proper documentation and accountability throughout the process.