Dogs are man’s best friend, and justice seems to take this into account. The Penitentiary Surveillance Court number 1 of the Basque Country has granted an inmate from the Martutene Penitentiary Center, Guipúzcoa, the possibility of saying goodbye to his pet before being sacrificed.
The prisoner would have asked that his dog be taken to a visit to the prison so he could say goodbye to him. After learning of the dog’s deteriorating health, the inmate made the request, claiming to want to “see him one last time.”
After receiving the offender’s request, the judge decided to consult the case with the prison psychologist to make a decision on the matter. Both met on several occasions, being the judge who made the final decision to authorize the vis-à-vis.
Far from being a visit like any other, the judge has imposed a series of conditions to take into account: The dog must visit the prison with a relative of the prisoner who has also been granted the request for vis-a-vis.
Likewise, the canine must present the corresponding veterinary verification to demonstrate that it is in a delicate state of health, which is why it must be euthanized. The dog must make the journey to the inmate room on a leash and muzzle, and if he soils the rooms, the inmate will be in charge of cleaning them.
This is an isolated case, since prison officials have spoken out against this decision. The spokesperson for the Professional Association of Prison Officials (APFP), Rafael Paniza, refers to the complex situation in prisons, which he does not help by “keeping an eye on dogs.”
