Every year, an estimated 50,000 hunting greyhounds — known as galgos — die horrific and painful deaths at the hands of their “guardians” in Spain.
How the greyhounds are brutally murdered varies. Many are thrown into abandoned wells to starve to death; others are burned alive, hanged, bludgeoned, or have their throats slit. The “lucky” ones are simply left to die or quickly killed.
Galgos are distantly related to British greyhounds. They have excellent eyesight and are used in hunting competitions. Once considered a valuable dog bred only by Spanish nobles, galgos are now considered disposable — used, abused, and abandoned by the hunters, or galgueros.
Hare coursing or lure coursing competitions take place annually from October to February throughout Spain. Dogs race and compete to catch a live hare or mechanically-operated substitute either in the countryside or on an enclosed track.
The training is as brutal as their eventual slaughter. These majestic dogs are often chained outside in horrible conditions and fed only enough to keep them alive. The galgueros keep them on the edge of starvation to ensure they are motivated to run fast enough during the hunting competitions.
To train the dogs to go faster, the hunters tie them to the back of a motorbike or car and force them to run at breakneck speeds. Those that fall or get injured are tossed aside.
Because of the seven month break between hunting seasons, dogs are usually killed after one or two seasons. It’s cheaper to buy a new dog every year than feed and care for the dogs during the break.
If a dog performs well, they may receive a humane death by euthanasia, or a quick hanging. However, dogs that were unsuccessful are considered to have brought shame upon the galuero and must be punished.
One of the most popular punishments is to hang a dog by the neck so its toes only just touch the ground. Known as the “piano dance” the dog taps its feet on the ground as it struggles to stand, and eventually strangles to death.
As galgos are classified as working animals, existing Spanish animal welfare laws don’t apply, allowing this horrific treatment to continue.
Several organizations, such as SOS Galgos are working to raise awareness for this heartbreaking issue. They also work to educate the galgueros and rescue and rehome the dogs. But this is not enough. Spanish government needs to step up and outlaw this archaic “sport” immediately.
Add your voice to our petition calling for an end to the needless slaughter of thousands of innocent dogs.
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DEEP THANK YOU to the organization, SOS GALGOS — keep up your great work — recruit as much help as possible — reach out to the World — save each and every Galgo — educate, enlighten the “Guardians” or Galgueros — that the ABSURD lies and myths MUST NO LONGER be perpetuated — kindness, love, care and respect of animals is the RIGHT WAY.
The ABUSERS have lost their minds! — HOW could they! — dogs are innocent, vulnerable animals who are always at the mercy of humans — even if they are NOT human beings — they are LIVING beings — WHO are THEY to think these innocent animals are deserving of such unconscionable cruelty — I know GOD is NOT behind this — if GOD would NOT do this, why do they? — WHO do THEY think they are — something MUST be done about this depraved betrayal — modern, rational, respectful, compassionate societies would NEVER tolerate this – the Authorities MUST step in — HOW do the abusers sleep at night, I wonder.
Que lastima q el ser humano se olvido de los sentimientos valores y el respecto
This practice of making dogs so disposable has to stop.
Way too many innocent animals suffer. Please put a stop to this and let them live a happy life. They are not here to be abused.
There is no excuse for this torture. These people need educating in animal welfare and anyone caught mistreating animals should be brought to justice and banned from keep any animals.
These powerless animals were not treated in any way that could be considered “peaceful” or “family friendly”, yet our response is expected to meet those criteria. How many more species of voiceless animals can the Spanish subject to endemic, horrific practices such as this? Starvation, torment, torture, barbarism and a complete lack of empathy. I am so fortunate not to have to reside in this uncaring nation. It must be unbearable for those who do not see animals as expendable commodities. It is important that all people who CAN speak up do just that:- only GLOBAL people- power will INFLUENCE AUTHORITIES to banish such behaviours, bringing compassionate thoughts and actions to the fore.
Because the cruel, barbaric treatment of galgos, strays, and bulls, Spain is like the China of Europe.
PEOPLE…Please boycott any animal act, entertainment, venue.
WHAT THE F IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE. DISCUSTING DEPLORABLE ASSININE LOWLIFE.THESE SO CALLED HUMANS DESERVE NOTHING SHORT OF DEATH.
“Dogs that were unsuccessful are considered to have brought shame upon the galuero and must be punished.” This statement and action should bring shame on Spain people. for all animals should be given a a quick and painless death as possible when necessary.
My Goodness, there are greyhound refuges where people can have a chance to give a dog a loving home. Please stop this cruelty in the name of hunting and protect these poorly taken care of dogs.
ITS HARD TO VIEW SUCH OBSCENE INSTANCES OF CRUELTY AND KEEP COMMENTS PEACEFUL. I hope those who come after and drink from the well where a rotting corpse lies, are healthy enough to survive the benefits of their sadistic acts.
Disgusting & heartbreaking! What dirt bags!
This is disgusting! Pure evil! It’s heartbreaking that people could not see these poor beings as living creatures with feeling! Discard these dirt bags!!!
This is a terrible crime
That’s really terrible. This should not be allowed at all.
Tears.
Of course it would be Spain. That’s those sweet, kind folks who gave the world bullfighting and, of course, my personal favorite, the annual bull-burning festival. Yes, they sure know how to have fun with animals. And their compassion and gentleness are legendary traits, never failing to inspire other nations to rise up and acknowledge the rights that animals should all have to live and let live. I just think it;s kinda sad that they never at any point in their lives learned how to play sports or to interact with their own species, in order to have a normal past time. Apparently the only way they know to have fun is by torturing and killing animals. They are a nation of psychos and sociopaths. They make me sick.
It is heartbreaking that people could not see these poor beings as living creatures with feeling!
This is not disgusting but also extremely sad surely there has to be a different alternative. These “people” are worse than savages.
Oops meant to say this is not only disgusting. My bad.
Execute this trash. BAN. Spain!!!
What sick individuals to do that to these innocent dogs I hope the laws change for these poor animals can’t believe people are allow to treat living dogs with feeling like this and for the government to allow is sickening too!!!
What sick individuals to do that to these innocent dogs I hope the laws change for these poor animals can’t believe people are allow to treat living dogs with feeling like this and for the government to allow is sickening too!!!
Ban spain!!!!!!
Despicable and evil! This needs to be stopped! No creatures should be tortured as they are doing! These beautiful dogs are discarded like trash! The evil jerks that do this should all go to jail, or thrown down a well to starve to death.
Stop this horrific act.
Throw the assholes down the well instead!
This is the epitome of cruelty – pure evil! There is a special place in hell for all of you users. These precious innocent animals do grueling, FREE work for you and you don’t even have common compassion or courtesy to help them. Disgusting filthy psychopaths!!!!
Despicable and reprehensible don’t even come close to describing the people who exploit then torture and kill these beautiful dogs. It’s long past time when the authorities should have clamped down on these murderous hunters. It’s a national disgrace and shames Spain.
This is despicable
Le levrier comme tout les autres chiens est un être sensibles qui ressent la douleur physique et moral il est absolument inadmissible qu”a notre époque on puisse laisser torturer de pauvres chiens sous prétexte qu’il ne chasse pas bien ! Je dit STOP a toutes ses tortures et punition très sévères a tout ceux qui se livreront a de telles actes de tortures et de barbaries !
I adopted a retired racing greyhound and they are the most gentle and loving dogs and how anyone can do such horrible things to them just makes me sick. They are such loyal animals and deserve much more then to be tortured and thrown away. I would like to do the same to the owners of these poor dogs.
Please be kind to animals – they mean no harm
Why isn’t anything done to stop this? It goes on year after year after year. The Spanish think it is clever. They are even bringing back and making bullfighting popular again. Barbaric. STOP THIS NOW!!!!!!!
This needs to STOP!
People.need.to.stop.kill.they.dogs.that.is.crueil.to.they.dogs.people.ilke.that.need.to.go.to.jail.for.lifer
Curse hunters! Curse people who harm innocent animals! You will answer before God!
Who takes their loyal companion and throws him/her in a well to suffer a slow painful death? Who hangs a dog and watches him/her suffer? Do you hear their cries? See the pain in their eyes? You are monsters. Thank you to everyone who saves these dogs.
While these beautiful and loving creatures are not disposable and do not deserve these horrific acts of cruelty, those spineless so called owners ARE disposable and deserve the most horrific and painful deaths. I am still amazed that if humans treated other Humans like this, the world would be outraged!! Yet when this is done to the most loving and loyal creatures, no one is outraged!! Spain is a disgrace!
I am amazed that dog is still alive. It was a bag of bones. These hunters ( I take it they are Catholics) will never make heaven, no way.
The more I read about Spain regarding animal abuse the more I am disappointed. This is beyond barbaric, the suffering and disregard for helpless dogs. Shame on you Spain if you don’t convince your lawmakers to take action.
Spain-you are not looking very well these days-you are a very animal abusive country. I would not visit your country if they paid me to come there.
Bloody murders. They should be given the same treatment that they meted out to these poor innocent dogs. 🐶🐕🐾❤❤❤👨😡😠🤬
Bloody murders. They should receive the same treatment they have meted out to these innocent loving dogs.
May they all suffer the most painful deaths and then they will meet their makers and truly suffer.
Lamentable!!!
Everybody do not buy anything from Spain for the next 10 years. That will send a direct message to the populace of their country to react favorably for the welfare of animals.
You have got it in a nutshell. Not buying anything produced in Spain WILL change this.
These are not “people” but disgusting, disrespectless murderers who they also have to hang up. Forbid this disgusting “sport” where the animal is always the bobbin and do not helaass that human-like monster.