Lanzarote Dog Abuse Case: San Bartolomé Man Detained After Disturbing Video Emerges
A man from San Bartolomé has been detained by the Guardia Civil’s SEPRONA unit in connection with an alleged case of animal abuse involving a nine-month-old dog in Lanzarote.
The case has attracted considerable attention locally after video footage of the incident was brought to the attention of animal welfare campaigners and the authorities.
According to information released by the Guardia Civil, the investigation began after officers became aware of a recording showing the alleged mistreatment of a dog belonging to the man.
What happened in San Bartolomé?
The incident took place in the municipality of San Bartolomé, Lanzarote, and was recorded by witnesses.
The Guardia Civil says its analysis of the footage showed the suspect allegedly placing the dog violently into the rear of a pick-up vehicle. The animal was then allegedly restrained using a short lead, significantly restricting its ability to move, before being struck several times.
The footage was subsequently brought to the attention of the authorities, prompting an investigation by the SEPRONA animal welfare unit of the Guardia Civil.
Earlier reports said the dog was approximately nine months old and that the incident had been reported to authorities after witnesses recorded what they had seen.
Dog taken into protective custody
Following the investigation, SEPRONA requested assistance from the Policía Local de San Bartolomé to ensure the animal’s safety.
The dog was removed from the owner’s care and taken to the municipal animal facility in San Bartolomé, where it was placed under protective custody. Reports from ADEMAL, the Association for the Defence Against Animal Abuse in Lanzarote, said the animal was receiving care and would be subject to veterinary monitoring.
The intervention means the dog is no longer in the immediate situation in which the alleged abuse took place.
Man detained but released pending the investigation
The Guardia Civil subsequently identified and located the alleged perpetrator in San Bartolomé.
He was detained on suspicion of an animal abuse offence and taken into custody. After giving a statement, however, he was released.
Importantly, this does not mean the case has been dropped.
The investigation remains in progress and the police proceedings will be sent to the appropriate judicial authority once the investigative work has been completed. The man is required to appear before the judicial authorities if called upon to do so.
As the judicial process is still ongoing, the allegations remain allegations and any eventual responsibility will be determined through the legal process.
What does Spanish law say about animal abuse?
Animal welfare legislation in Spain provides specific protections for companion animals.
Spain’s Law 7/2023 on the protection of animal rights and welfare expressly prohibits physically abusing or attacking companion animals and also prohibits conduct that causes animals physical or psychological suffering. The legislation also identifies the use of aggressive or violent methods in animal education as a serious administrative offence where the circumstances fall within that provision.
Depending on the circumstances and seriousness of an incident, animal abuse can also have criminal consequences, which is why cases of alleged serious mistreatment can be investigated by the police and ultimately referred to the courts.
In this particular case, the Guardia Civil has described the matter as a suspected crime of animal abuse, with the investigation continuing.
ADEMAL calls for the case to be dealt with through the courts
Animal welfare organisation ADEMAL Lanzarote became involved after being made aware of the footage.
The organisation reported the alleged incident to the authorities and requested that the animal be removed from the situation while the circumstances were investigated.
ADEMAL has also said it intends to follow the judicial proceedings and has indicated that it may seek to participate in the case.
The organisation has appealed for the public to allow the justice system to deal with the matter rather than responding with hatred or taking matters into their own hands.
What happens next?
The immediate priority has been the protection of the dog, which has been placed under the care of the municipal animal services.
Meanwhile, SEPRONA continues its investigation. Once the necessary police and veterinary reports have been completed, the proceedings will be forwarded to the relevant judicial authority.
The court process will then determine whether an offence has been committed and, if so, what consequences should follow.
For residents and visitors to Lanzarote, the case is also a reminder that concerns about animal welfare should be reported to the appropriate authorities rather than confronted directly.
Lanzarote animal welfare
Lanzarote is home to a large community of residents, holidaymakers and animal lovers, as well as numerous dogs and other companion animals.
Anyone witnessing suspected animal abuse in Lanzarote should consider reporting the matter to the relevant police or animal welfare authorities and, where it can be done safely and lawfully, providing useful evidence such as photographs, video or information about the location and circumstances.
The latest case demonstrates how footage recorded by witnesses can become important evidence in an investigation.
For now, the San Bartolomé case remains before the authorities, with the alleged perpetrator released pending further judicial proceedings and the dog safely removed from the situation.
