Our work abroad
The early part of every year is the worst time for the abandonment of
the galgos. The hunting season lasts just 4 months and once this is
over many galgos are abandoned and often brutally killed.
In some areas of Spain there are laws that dogs must be microchipped.
One would hope that in these areas galgos found abandoned could be
traced back to their owners but sadly
this law can work against the galgos.
Owners have tried to remove these
microchips themselves when they
abandon the dogs so that the dogs
cannot be traced back to them and
those we work with have found galgos
who have bled to death after this has
been done, some found tied to the
refuge doors.
Recently Balbino of the Arca de Noe refuge in
Albacete asked if we could help with a galgo they
had rescued called Bollilo. Neither he, nor his volun-
teers, could believe their eyes when they examined
the galgo back at the refuge. Someone had removed
the microchip from his neck and pulled the resulting
wound together with what seemed
like thick thread/garden string.
Fortunately for Bollilo he was looked
after by Balbino and his veterinary
team, and later by Pep and Pilar, and
as you can see from the photo on
the left here he is now enjoying his
new life in France, thanks to Wilfrid
of Levriers en Difficulte.
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Bollilo at the refuge