The National Police have arrested in Madrid and Girona eight members of a gang that was allegedly dedicated to the illegal breeding and sale of dog puppies from Slovakia and Hungary, which they mistreated and even sacrificed.
In the four entries and search carried out in the facilities used by the organization in Madrid and Catalonia, the agents have managed to rescue more than a hundred dogs, although they have also found bone remains of buried animals, the Directorate reported this Thursday. Police General.
Medication for the practice of euthanasia of dogs and cats, already used, has also been involved; prescription, medication and passport pads; veterinary stamps and records; and 3,000 euros in cash. They have blocked bank accounts and deposits that those arrested had in four financial institutions.
The investigation, carried out by the National Police group specialized in the fight against crimes against the environment, began when an organization dedicated to the importation of dog puppies from Eastern European countries was detected to sell them in Spain with false documentation.
The agents identified the alleged members of the gang, which was structured in a pyramidal way and had two leaders, whom the agents subjected to close surveillance.
The information collected was placed in the hands of the environmental prosecutor’s office, which led to the opening of proceedings in an investigative court in the Madrid town of Navalcarnero.
The animals normally came from “farms” located in countries such as Slovakia and Hungary, so they were subjected to road journeys of more than 15 hours to reach the organization’s hands. And they did it with the age altered on their cards, since they had a lower age than allowed.
Sometimes the animals suffered from illnesses or diseases, but the band members, who were aware of them, did not inform future buyers, so some puppies died shortly after.
They also bought puppies from breeders in different parts of Spain, with whom they were in cahoots to advance their date of birth on the card or even receive the blank document to be able to modify their data, including the breed.
In the facilities that the gang used to breed and sell the dogs, the animals were subjected to different treatments and vaccines, using a veterinarian they trusted.
They used the seal of this professional to give the appearance of legality to the dogs’ health certificates, as well as to acquire medications that require a veterinary prescription.
In any case, whether they were healthy, sick or incubating infectious diseases, those arrested put the puppies up for sale, either through advertisements on e-commerce platforms or through a website created by the organization.
The Police attribute the crimes of continued animal abuse, fraud, professional intrusion, document falsification and membership in a criminal organization to the eight detainees.
Associations and animal protection entities, the Animal Protection Area of ??the General Directorate of Agriculture, Livestock and Food of the Community of Madrid, the General Directorate of Animal Rights and the veterinary services of the National Police have collaborated in the operation.
According to data provided by the Police, during the last six months more than half a thousand animals, mainly dog ??puppies, have been rescued in different operations carried out throughout Spain.
