Animal abuse in the cattle dragging contest of Gran Canaria! The PACMA files a complaint

We document the cruelty of the “cattle dragging” and denounce several irregularities committed in the final of the Gran Canaria contest.

On July 11, the Grand Final of the XXXIII Dragging Contest of the Island of Gran Canaria took place, a cruelty in which cows, bulls and oxen are forced to pull loads of up to 1,500 kg in races against the clock.

From PACMA we document it to show the violence of this activity and the mistreatment that animals receive, in addition to several irregularities that we report to the Ministry of Public Administrations, Justice and Security, the Ministry of Education, Universities, Culture and Sports, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing and the Government of the Canary Islands.

We have received a reply from the General Directorate of Livestock of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, thanking the notice and informing that they have requested a detailed report from the Canary Trawling Federation, given the possibility of initiating a sanctioning file that we hope will be make cash.

The suffering of ‘cattle dragging’

In these images, recorded by our team in the Canary Islands, it is clearly seen how the rings or chains that the animals have ringed to the nasal septum are pulled with force, causing them more than obvious pain.
Their deformed snouts and bulging eyes are clear proof of the suffering they are enduring.

This practice contravenes the Technical Regulations of the Canarian Drag Federation and the Law of Physical Activity and Sports of the Canary Islands and we made it known to the administrations.

In our complaint we demand an investigation and that the pertinent responsibilities be determined, as well as the withdrawal of the license of the people who exercised this mistreatment and their disqualification for the profession, trade or trade related to animals and their possession.

At PACMA, we have been demanding the prohibition of this practice for years, which always implies submission and pain for animals, but, until we achieve its abolition, we will continue to press legal means, denouncing every irregularity to corner those who mistreat animals in the courts.

https://pacma.es/actualizacion-investigan-el-concurso-de-arrastre-de-gran-canaria-que-denunciamos-por-maltrato-animal/

And I mean…The competition participants invented terrifying lies to justify this brutal sport. They say … “In addition to the fact that this sport is completely harmless to the animals (the rules of the game prevent that), it has also helped to save a native breed of cattle on the island, the Vaca Basta, from extinction”.

The tests are carried out against the clock and have a duration of 3 minutes so that the animals cover the entire distance, except in the special categories cows and bulls (1,100 kg or 1,500 kg train weight), which take 5 minutes.

The winning team will be the one who manages the route, the 70 meters, in the shortest possible time.

Forced and intense exercises, abrupt and violent, cause joint diseases, their nerve endings suffer considerably, and cause severe pain to the animal, which could only be described as animal suffering.

Cows and oxen pant with their tongues sticking out, indicating increased heart and respiratory rates, drool and foam at the mouth. They are reluctant to advance, they go off the track with clear escape attempts caused by fatigue and fear.

The Corsa weighs around 200 kilos (?), which must be added to the load deposited on it and the friction index on the surface.
It is also forbidden to tie animals by their horns, nose rings or legs. As we can see from the photos, it becomes clear to everyone that these animals suffer from this illegal ring, both in herds and in competitions

The reasons why the Canarian Government justifies this activity are based on something that we have already heard with relative frequency in other demonstrations in which animals are invited not to have fun, that is: the recovery of a deeply rooted “tradition”, and the promotion and breeding of the Canarian Breed and the Palmera Breed cattle;

The Government of the Canary Islands, through the Directorate General for Sports, allocates more than 1 million euros (1,020,600 euros) to promote local and traditional sports. The messages do not specifically relate to “dragging”.

We urge that any activity in which animals of any kind are used for fun and entertainment should be declared illegal.
We urge that those farmers who are committed to raising these animals for the sake of maintaining such medieval competitions should not receive any public subsidies

The future belongs to a humane and compassionate civilization.

My best regards to all, Venus

UK to crack down on dognappers with new pet abduction offence

Thieves will face tougher penalties under legislation unveiled by government after surge in crimes

Dognappers will face tougher penalties under government plans to introduce a criminal offence of pet abduction.

Pet theft is currently prosecuted under the Theft Act and is subsequently treated as loss of property to the owner, which for years campaigners have been saying fails to recognise the emotional distress caused by the crime.

Amid a surge in animal thefts during the Covid pandemic, the offence of pet abduction will be introduced through primary legislation and will cover all pet theft, although evidence found 70% of reported animal thefts involve dogs.

The new offence unveiled on Friday is one of a number of recommendations put forward by the government’s pet theft taskforce, set up earlier in the year to address the rising numbers of such cases, which found the price of some breeds of dog had increased by as much as 89% during the coronavirus lockdowns.

In a report, the taskforce also recommends improving recording and data collection about pet abduction crimes, new requirements to register additional ownership details, and a single point of access to microchipping databases.

The RSPCA chief executive, Chris Sherwood, said: “Pet theft can leave families in utter turmoil and have serious welfare implications for animals ripped away from everything they know.

“The new pet abduction offence will acknowledge the seriousness of this crime and we hope this will encourage courts to hand out much tougher sentences to pet thieves. We’re also thrilled that the government wants to simplify the microchipping database system and we believe this will help to tackle pet theft as well as other animal welfare issues and irresponsible pet ownership generally.”

Experts and campaigners have said research has shown a 170% increase in reported pet thefts between 2019 and 2020, but that only 1% of dog theft crimes had led to a prosecution.

The price of some puppies has quadrupled during the pandemic and, as responsible breeders slowed down their operations, a black market has emerged to fill the gap in demand, they said.

Thieves have targeted “fashion breeds” and designer crossbreeds in high demand, including French bulldogs, pugs, cockapoos and labradoodles.

Dog thieves are stalking parks in affluent areas and luring puppies out of gardens with treats, while some have mugged dog-walkers for their pets and raided boarding kennels.

Ministers have yet to confirm what sort of penalties those convicted of pet abduction could face but said the new offence would prioritise the welfare of pets as sentient beings and recognise the distress to the animal in addition to its owner.

The environment secretary, George Eustice, whose department this week signed off the killing of Geronimo the alpaca, said: “Pets are much-loved members of the family in households up and down the country, and reports of a rise in pet theft have been worrying. Pet owners shouldn’t have to live in fear, and I am pleased this report acknowledges the unique distress caused by this crime.”

‘The Guardian’, London.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/03/uk-crack-down-dognappers-new-pet-abduction-offence

Regards Mark