Below is a letter composed by Vivienne Wharton of Animal Welfare Support Murcia which she is asking as many people as possible to email to Seprona, the division of the Spanish Guardia Civil which is responsible for animal welfare. Copy and paste the letter into an email or Word document, add your name to the bottom of the letter after Vivienne's, plus members of your family, friends, any local organisation to which you belong etc. The more names added, the better!
Email the letter to
dg-seprona-jefatura@guardiacivil.org
Dear Sirs
I am writing to you on behalf of many people who are members of our group, who want to appeal to you to improve the welfare of animals in Spain. This appeal comes from people not only in Spain but all over Europe and the rest of the world.
Our members have heard of the atrocity that befalls the Spanish hunting dogs at the end of each hunting season; our members are desperate for the Spanish government, the Guardia Civil and Seprona, the European government and whoever else who can take action and help, to listen to this appeal on behalf of the suffering animals who cannot speak for themselves.
Some of us came to live in Spain because we consider it a beautiful country, but heavily tainted by animal cruelty. Because of the depths of this cruently, we cannot live happily until we are at peace. We need to know that the laws which exist will protect the hunting dogs from the extreme and barbaric cruelty that is inflicted on by people who should know better and only do this because they can. Enforce the laws so these peoplecannot carry out this unacceptable behavior in this modern world.
The majority of us are educated about the welfare and understanding of animals and Spain needs to join the rest of the world in this understanding, for the sake of the next generations. The young generation in Spain wants this too.
As human beings we do not like to suffer or feel pain; animals also suffer and feel pain, so why is it necessary for hunting dogs or any animal to feel the incredible pain that they have to endure? Could we humans endure being hung from a tree slowly and helplessly, burnt alive, drowned, beaten, or simply murdered? Some who are not murdered are left stranded in the countryside with no food, water or protection – WHY? These are not wild animals and therefore cannot survive alone; they are domestic creatures which we have bred and need to take responsibility for. They don't ask to be born.
So, on behalf of hundreds of thousands people in Europe and the rest of the world and of course in Spain, we ask that you address this problem. The publicity that is filtering out to other countries is that Spain is a cruel country and many do not want to visit because of this reason, we know this to be true. The power of the internet now makes the news of this spread far and wide, more than ever before; so we urge you to take notice of how this makes Spain look in the eyes of the world.
The only way is to change this and that is by making very tough laws against the cruelty. Wardens and protectors should be alert during the hunting season against the abuse. Education should be implemented for the Hunters. The hunters can learn how to treat their dogs, how to get the best health and performance from their dogs. There is much evidence to show that there are many alternative ways that will help the hunters to have better dogs, if they treat them in the right way. There are many people who are willing to teach and educate this.
We thank you for listening to us and hope that you will look very seriously and quickly at Spain’s problem of the hunting dog’s plight.
Please have empathy with us for this terrible atrocity and take notice that the world will not tolerate this anymore. We live in the 21st century and Spain’s animal welfare laws have to come into this century very quickly.
"we can define the degree of civilization of a nation by how they treat animals " Ghandi.
Yours sincerely,
Vivienne Wharton
Cartagena, Spain
viv@tarasa.com
On behalf of 'Animal Welfare Support Murcia' and 'Animal Care Treatment International Network' Spain
Stop the RACING !
Posted by: TAO Foundation | 14 February 2012 at 01:42 PM
I have copied and emailed the letter with my name at the bottom, hope this is correct as it says above to add your name after Vivienne's? Also there are a couple of minor errors in the letter that need correcting?
Well done Vivienne hope they receive thousands of emails.
Pauline xxx
Posted by: pauline.wright@hobarts.com | 14 February 2012 at 01:56 PM
if you wish to sign the online copy please visit the facebook page of the group -
http://www.facebook.com/groups/AWSMassist/
Posted by: mandy | 14 February 2012 at 03:26 PM
Thanks for adding this Mandy. I note Graham has commented on the AWSM facebook page, so Id just addy that there are millions of people who are NOT on Facebook and that is why I suggest to my GN readers that they copy, paste and email the letter themselves.
Thanks to Vivienne for the initiative and the letter.
Beryl
Posted by: Beryl Brennan | 14 February 2012 at 04:09 PM
TypePad HTML Email
Hi
What are the errors?
Beryl
Posted by: Beryl Brennan | 14 February 2012 at 04:25 PM
i will be sending one
Posted by: jenny | 14 February 2012 at 09:52 PM
This is the reply I got to my email.
Google translated int English s not perfect:
En relación con su correo electrónico referente a la protección de galgos, se informa lo siguiente:
El SEPRONA de la Guardia Civil tiene entre otras misiones de protección de la naturaleza y el Medio Ambiente, la protección animal. En el año 2011 se registraron más de 12.000 actuaciones relacionadas con perros, un 10 % galgos, lo que denota una constante tensión vigilante y preventiva del Seprona sobre este particular.
Recibimos numerosas comunicaciones que son reproducciones reiteradas referentes al maltrato animal, conteniendo noticias vagas, difusas e inconcretas. Desde esta Jefatura se le anima que en caso de poseer datos precisos, sean denunciados ante la sede policial más cercana a su domicilio.
Lo que se informa para su conocimiento,
JEFATURA DEL SEPRONA
Google translate:
Regarding your email regarding the protection of greyhounds, the following is reported:
The Civil Guard SEPRONA has among its missions of protecting nature and the environment, animal protection. In 2011 there were more than 12,000 dog-related activities, 10% dogs, indicating a constant tension and preventive Seprona vigilant on this issue.
We received many communications that are repeated views concerning the mistreatment of animals, containing news vague, diffuse and unspecific. From this headquarters is encouraged in case of having accurate data, are reported to the police station nearest to your home.
What is reported for information,
HEAD OF SEPRONA
Posted by: pauline.wright@hobarts.com | 22 February 2012 at 12:52 PM
TypePad HTML Email
Hi
Ive a translation from Charl, which Ill
add. Had 3 replies to mine, all saying the same. But its great that
they have sent out replies, rather than ignoring. Thats an achievement in
itself.
Amities
Beryl
Posted by: Beryl Brennan | 22 February 2012 at 05:20 PM
TypePad HTML Email
Hi
Lots of people got the same reply. Which is
great, because at least everyone got a reply! So Seprona will now know
lots more people are aware of what is going on with the animals and will be
keeping an eye on what Seprona do. Power to the people!
Beryl
Posted by: Beryl Brennan | 22 February 2012 at 09:44 PM
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Casa-Epona-Stables-Equestrian-Supplies/127359740670432
please have a look at the link and help in any way you can.
Thanks
Posted by: Charlie Barnwell | 08 August 2012 at 04:13 PM