Lorraine Williamson
Peaceful protests took place across Spain and Europe on Sunday as campaigners called for stronger legal protections for dogs used in hunting and an end to practices activists describe as cruel and outdated.
In cities including Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia and Valladolid, animal rights groups and local activists marched with their dogs under banners urging the government to reform existing animal welfare laws.
Similar mobilisations were held in other parts of Spain — from Pamplona to Bilbao — with demonstrators emphasising that hunting season’s end should not coincide with increased risk of abandonment or mistreatment of Galgos and Podencos.
Coordinated action tied to international movement
The demonstrations in Spain form part of a broader Europe-wide campaign involving animal welfare advocates in dozens of cities across countries, including the UK, where activists marched earlier in Manchester, London, Exeter, and Glasgow to spotlight the issue.
Organisers say that although Spain has one of Europe’s more progressive animal welfare laws, hunting dogs remain excluded from the strongest protections, and tens of thousands of animals continue to be abandoned or suffer during and after hunting seasons.
Campaigners are calling on policymakers to extend the protections afforded to companion dogs to hunting breeds, arguing that animals such as Galgos and Podencos should not be classified as “tools” but as sentient beings deserving equal legal rights.
Calls for reform and public awareness
Protesters from a variety of groups, including Plataforma NAC (No a la Caza) and affiliated international networks, stressed the need for enforceable legislation and stronger enforcement mechanisms.
In Glasgow, one organiser said the aim is to bring global attention to practices in rural Spain that critics say can lead to cruelty, abandonment, and premature deaths for dogs once they are no longer seen as useful in hunting.
Supporters argue that diplomatic pressure, public awareness, and tourism visibility can help accelerate change, and they vow to continue peaceful actions until hunting dogs are fully protected by animal welfare laws.
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