Every year, thousands of animals are abandoned. According to the latest study by the Affinity Foundation, some 136,000 dogs were abandoned in 2020 , but we must consider that the figure is based on a small sample of 387 shelters out of the thousands that exist in our country. Unfortunately, there are no official data that would give a much more overwhelming figure.
We must also consider as “abandonment” that which occurs due to omission of the duties of assistance for the sustenance of the animal. Therefore, an abandoned animal is one that is left on the street as if the necessary care for its sustenance is no longer provided.
And, although the animal does not carry the mandatory microchip, it has now been possible to find some disgusting “abandoners” thanks to the testimony of neighbors or acquaintances, DNA tests and other investigations carried out by the Police and Civil Guard.
It’s a cruel act
When we make the decision to incorporate a pet into our family, we voluntarily commit to being responsible for its health and well-being until the end of its life. We are also responsible for “the lives” that our animals generate. Unwanted litters account for 15% of abandoned animals.
An abandoned animal feels fear, stress, frustration and bewilderment. In addition, we put your life at risk by exposing you to an incalculable number of risks: vehicles, weather, accidents, fights with other animals, infections, death due to dehydration or starvation…
It is an indisputable act of animal abuse, without excuses. Even if you leave it tied up or in a box next to a protector: the animal can run away, be attacked by other animals or people, suffer heat stroke or hypothermia, strangle itself with the leash…
It is a criminal offense
Article 337 of the Penal Code indicates that “Whoever abandons an animal of those mentioned in section 1 of the previous article in conditions that could endanger its life or integrity will be punished with a fine of one to six months” and ” The judge may impose the penalty of special disqualification from three months to one year for the exercise of a profession, trade or trade that is related to animals and for the possession of animals.”
It is an administrative offense
Each autonomous community has a regulation on the possession and protection of pets in which, logically, dogs are included. Here we find that the abandonment of animals is considered an infraction from mild to very serious, with fines of up to €45,000, depending on how protective the Law is in each region.
Public health
Although an animal abandoned on public roads is the responsibility of the corresponding city council and, therefore, should act to pick it up and house it, the reality is that many abandoned dogs end up finding their home on the street due to the ineffectiveness of public administrations…
Dogs that “wander” have a more vulnerable health and do not have a health control:
- By not having an antiparasitic guideline, they can be attacked without condescension by external parasites.
- The non-internal deworming together with the fact that they will have to look for food from any waste or other wild or urban animals, makes them potential hosts of internal parasites.
- Nor do they enjoy a vaccination schedule, which makes them potential carriers and recipients of different diseases.
All this lack of health control can mean a step backwards in the control of diseases, which can also affect humans, and which we have eradicated for decades thanks to veterinary prevention. Just take a look at the Autonomous Cities of Ceuta and Melilla, where some outbreaks of rabies in street dogs have been declared.
Let’s not forget that an abandoned dog is still a DOMESTIC animal. Therefore, its dependence on human beings, even if it is on the street or not, will make it closely related to our surroundings to seek shelter or food.
So their state of health is closely linked to ours.
