The latest DANA —an acronym for "isolated depression at high levels" in spanish— that has ravaged Valencia and other regions of Spain serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by both people and animals during climate disasters. A group of volunteers patrolling the banks of the Poyo River in Torrent encountered a horrifying scene at a hunting dog kennel, allegedly used for big game hunting. The cages were dangerously located just steps away from the river, leaving them completely destroyed after the flood, with no chance for the dogs to escape the rising waters. Upon arrival, the volunteers found 17 kennels completely destroyed and two lifeless bodies.
This heartbreaking discovery is not an isolated case but a reflection of a larger problem: the abandonment of animals and the lack of evacuation and rescue plans during critical moments. As Aïda Gascón, director of AnimaNaturalis in Spain, explained, “it is unacceptable that in the 21st century, we continue to consider the lives of animals as an inevitable collateral damage. Climate tragedies only highlight a lack of humanity in those responsible for their care”.
According to local residents, the dogs' caretaker climbed onto the cages while the dogs barked desperately and was rescued by a helicopter. Up to seven Podenco dogs managed to escape and were searched for by a rescue team, but without success. Volunteers followed some tracks in hopes of finding another animal alive. Witnesses indicated that there were originally at least four dog corpses in the area, but hunters seem to have been removing them.
The situation is not only alarming but demands an urgent and well-planned response. Scientific evidence on the impact of climate change indicates that phenomena like DANA will become increasingly frequent and intense, affecting every corner of Spain and, in particular, animals living in vulnerable conditions.
The destroyed kennels in Torrent exemplify a chronic problem in the care and management of hunting dogs in Spain, where it is estimated that thousands of animals are abandoned or kept in precarious facilities each year. The lack of regulation and oversight in these cases raises a critical question: how many more will die before change is implemented?
This tragic loss should prompt reflection and the implementation of effective solutions. Protecting animals in extreme circumstances must be a priority in animal welfare policies, both locally and nationally. Establishing evacuation protocols, building shelters in safe areas, and ensuring proper oversight of animals are essential to prevent tragedies like this in the future.
“At AnimaNaturalis, we urge the authorities to take responsibility and act now to protect all beings that share this planet,” added Gascón. Climate change is not the only culprit; indifference is also to blame.
Urgent help is needed for shelters and rescue organizations in the area working tirelessly to save and care for the animals affected by this catastrophe. We invite you to contribute through a donation to AnimaNaturalis or local shelters that need financial support to provide food, veterinary care, and refuge for rescued animals. Additionally, temporary and permanent fostering is vital during these critical times. With your help, we can give these animals a second chance.
