Spain has witnessed the rescue of more than 400 animals, predominantly cats and dogs, from an illegal trafficking network.
This gang is suspected of unlawfully bringing animals into Spain from Eastern Europe through Andorra, subsequently selling them to generate profits. They are also accused of falsifying documents, falsely claiming the animals were healthy for sale.
Thirteen individuals have been arrested on charges that encompass animal abuse, fraud, and money laundering.
The animals, which were often subjected to deplorable conditions, are now under the care of veterinarians.
The joint police operation to rescue these animals took place in September, three years after officers in Barcelona received multiple complaints regarding the dismal conditions at a pet shop in the city center. During their investigation, they found 33 sick dogs.
Authorities revealed on Wednesday that some of the recovered animals, frequently high-value breeds, were illicitly purchased online. Others were bred in facilities operated by the suspects, where female animals were exploited to produce as many offspring as possible, often with little regard for their well-being.
Many of these animals were transported by road, often in cramped and unsanitary conditions, on extensive journeys that sometimes covered over 2,000 km. This led to the development of infectious and contagious diseases among some animals, which then spread to others being sold alongside them.
"The criminal organization included a veterinarian who provided her knowledge and signature to create an appearance of sufficient credibility, guaranteeing that the animals being sold were in good health," stated the authorities.
They further noted that this veterinarian provided advice to other members of the criminal group on how to conceal or manipulate records during official inspections and checks.
Spain recently passed a law tightening regulations governing the sale and ownership of animals. This legislation includes a ban on the sale of animals in pet stores, with violations potentially resulting in imprisonment or fines of up to 200,000 euros. Photo by Hebrew Matio, Wikimedia commons.