Local Spanish government kills dogs- The Death of Golfo

This happened on the 29th of January, 2008. It was midday in the natural park Punta Entinas, in Almeria, South of Spain, and only 400 metres away from a populated residential area (El Faro). Esther was enjoying her daily jogging session, as usual, accompanied by her loyal Griffon Golfo, a lovely-natured, playful 2-year-old rescue, a vital part of their family. Golfo fulfilled all official and legal pet requirements, properly vaccinated, identified with a collar and a tag, and he was also dully micro chipped. Esther, after greeting the environment agency official (Agencia de Medio Ambiente) began calling her dog to continue the run. Golfo was 50 metres away, sniffing the grass. His mistake? standing in the aim of a worker for the local government (Consejeria de Medio Ambiente). This man, following a new law approved by the local government, identified Golfo, beautifully groomed and wearing his perfectly visible collar, as a "dangerous" stray dog, and shot him down. Golfo could only yelp three times before passing away.

On the 3oth of January, Esther and her partner saw the car from the ecology department drive by El Faro, and they run to stop the official in the vehicle. Mariano (that is his name, known by Esther and her partner as they work nearby) immediately admitted that on the 29th of January he had shot 3 dogs, that it was his job and proceeded to show them a written authorisation stating that from the 19th of September 2007 he had "terminated" at least 40 dogs. This was too much for Esther who broke down in tears and could not help but scream at the officer. Her partner asked for a copy of the document, but this was denied him. He could not take a picture of the paper, though he was allowed to take some quick notes. The agent was openly proud of what he had done and never denied anything. The authorisation was signed by Sr.D. Juan Jose Luque Ibañez (from the local government, the delegate, representative for the environment).

They soon discovered that La Agencia de Medio Ambiente en Almería (the environmental section of the local government) had ordered the immediate execution of dogs that could appear in the areas they administrate. This decision was of course approved without consulting the public, and it was not openly advertised so owners of dogs could be aware and avoid losing a precious family member to a murderous government policy.

Esther and her partner are still battling on, trying to do Golfo some Justice.

For more information on the matter (it has hardly been picked up by Spanish press) PLEASE VISIT http://justiciaparagolfo.blogspot.com/ in Spanish and written by Golfo's family.