22 January 2012 - as I write a rescue is being carried out in Murcia. Up to 70 galgos in a gypsy camp. The gitano (Spanish gypsy) with these dogs was denounced (see my book to explain a denuncia) and the authorities said the dogs would all be put down unless they were rescued. These dogs are in poor condition, some chained to walls....the gypsies are very hard on the galgos. Several people belonging to rescue associations and refuges are involved in this operation.
The dogs will all need examining by a vet, microchipping and blood tests for leishmania, ehrlichia and filaria - it is likely many of them will be suffering from these diseases. They will then need treatment, vaccinating, sterlising, and finally rehoming. Food will also be expensive.
As yet we only know of two of associations and shelters who are involved in this rescue. If you wish to donate towards the vet fees, I suggest you wait until we know all the associations/refuges involved so that donations can be spread between them all.
If you want to make a protest about situations like this, please join my current letter -writing campaign. Send a letter to the Federation Espanola de Galgos to demand they stop the annual holocaust.
Gitanos, Spanish gypsies, can be extremely ruthless; even the Guardia Civil have been known to be reluctant to enter some camps. The gitanos breed galgos and sell them to hunters; they steal galgos from refuges and shelters to sell to hunters; they steal adopted galgos and then try and sell them back to the owner, claiming to have 'found' the dog. It is not recommended to enter these camps unless you are one of a group and, even then, it can be dangerous.
These galgos can be rescued because they have been cleared by the authorities for moving.
I would like to add here that not all gypsies are involved in the dark side of Spanish hunting with galgos. There are others who love and care for their dogs. But as always it is the bad ones which are notorious.
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