We will continue to work alongside law enforcement agencies as we have always done. Our work has beenrecognised by the Civil Guard in Málaga and SEPRONA in Marbella,among others.
In general, public institutions are not complying with the law. For this reason, citizens need to collaborate and help animals. Do not forget that animals have helped us with their hard work, dedication and companionship since the beginning of time. Do not be discouraged, you may feel frustrated, but remember that your strength lies in perseverance. We do not know which call or which action will bring about lasting change: Cat teaches a lesson to local authorities
If you only inform (“comunicar”) the authorities of a situation, you will not be part of the process and you will NOT appear as complainant (“denunciante”). Download a template for informing authorities HERE (in Spanish)
If you report (“denunciar”), you will become a complainant (“denunciante cualificado”). You can request to initiate sanctions proceedings, as well as be notified of the start of proceedings or the agreement (art: 11.2 and 13.2 Penitentiary Regulation). You have the right to request information. If you choose this option (the most effective in our experience), law enforcement will instruct you on how to do proceed.
If you see a horse, horses or any other animal that could pose a risk to road safety (on motorways, roads, etc.), and that is being abused or is in danger, CALL 112 IMMEDIATELY. Provide all possible information regarding the situation, description and location of the animal (the call is free of charge and this service will be responsible for coordinating the appropriate law enforcement agencies, just as with any other emergency).
In the case of animals that are neglected, abused, in poor hygienic and sanitary conditions, injured or sick, permanently tied up under the sun or rain, etc., CALL THE LOCAL POLICE to come as quickly as possible.
The police are required to come in compliance with Andalusian Law 11/2003 on Animal Protection. They may be dealing with other cases, so PLEASE INSIST. (If you consider this an emergency and the local police are not responding, remember step 1: in the event of imminent danger, you should call 112).
You should also inform, in writing, the TOWN HALL of the municipality where the animal is and request that your notification be registered. That way, the local authorities must provide assistance to the animal. If you only phone, they can claim they were unaware of the situation.
If, after a reasonable period of time, the animals are still in the same condition, contact the nearest Civil Guard headquarters and ask to speak to SEPRONA. Inform the attending officer of what has occurred. Send or give them the registration number of the notification you provided at the town hall. You should also provide the date and time of your letter or call to the local police.
In all cases of neglect and/or poor conditions of the animal or its environment, you can exert more pressure if you phone, send an email or go to the corresponding Regional Agricultural Office (“Oficina Comarcal Agraria – OCA”). You should tell them that you have informed of or reported a situation to the authorities. You will find information on Regional Agricultural Offices in Andalusia HERE.
You can request that a vet, who is specialised in this type of animal, check its condition and location to determine whether the situation is legal or not. They, in turn, will have to hold the local authority and/or law enforcement agencies accountable, so they should help you to act on the animal’s behalf.
This section is very important as, for example, any horse tied up in a field is there illegally. The Regional Agricultural Office is the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food’s competent body to sanction not only the animal’s owner, but also the owner of the plot or the place where the animal is registered.
If the situation is not one of immediate urgency, or if the animal has still not received assistance, you can send your notification or “denuncia” by email to: ma-cmd-malaga-seprona-oftecnica@guardiacivil.org
Click here to report situations outside the province of Málaga.
Royal Decree 804/2011 and Law 11/2003 of 24 November on Animal Protection in Andalusia.
It does not matter what law enforcement and/or local authorities tell you. The information above is laid out in Spanish law and these are their obligations. Otherwise, they could be being derelict and/or negligent in their duties, and could be reported, sanctioned and/or dismissed as a result.