The Forgotten Victims of Hunting

In Spain, galgos are bred en masse for hunting – but only the fastest and strongest of these graceful dogs manage to survive. Those who don’t perform well enough are discarded: hanged, thrown into wells, or abandoned with broken limbs. During coursing hunts, these dogs are pushed to the brink of exhaustion, often causing them to collapse. Their subsequent fate? The majority die. While hare coursing has been banned in most European countries, it remains a cruel reality in Spain – a brutal tradition that costs tens of thousands of galgos their lives every year.

Coursing is a prestigious competition where galgos are pushed to their physical limits – at any cost. In the search for the next champion, galgos are constantly being bred and discarded, with puppies ruthlessly culled shortly after birth – those who don’t show potential for prize money are killed. During training, dogs are often tied to moving vehicles to increase their endurance. In competition, they chase hares until they collapse. The winners receive accolades; the losers disappear – a so-called sport that, for most galgos, means certain death.

Podencos are the invisible victims of Spain’s hunting industry. During montería hunts, they are released in large packs to chase wild animals through rough terrain, running until their bodies reach a breaking point. Many are starving, injured, or sick before their hunting life even starts. Outside of the hunting season, they spend their days chained up or locked in dark, overcrowded shelters. When they grow too old or weak, they are abandoned, killed, or left to fend for themselves in the wild. While the hunts continue, their suffering remains largely unseen – and their deaths go unnoticed.

Many galgos and podencos are discarded at the end of Spain’s hunting season on February 1st. Without food or water, they face almost certain death from starvation or dehydration. Their emaciated bodies are found in forests, fields, or roadside ditches. Those lucky enough to reach a shelter often arrive reduced to skin and bones. Shelters work tirelessly to rehabilitate them.

Many hunting dogs are beaten, shot, thrown into wells, or hanged from trees in a practice called “piano-playing.” Others’ fate include being hit by cars or sustaining injuries in fights with other dogs. Broken bones, open wounds or missing teeth – their injuries are severe and veterinary costs are enormous. Animal welfare organisations need our help to rescue these dogs.

As Spain’s hunting season comes to a close, an influx of abandoned dogs overwhelms shelters that cannot handle the sheer incoming numbers. Physical and emotional exhaustion as well as the fear of having to turn away dogs due to lack of resources, is a daily struggle. Financial strain, food shortages, rising veterinary costs, and staff shortages are all part of their reality.

Food donations are crucial for the survival of rescued hunting dogs. Animal welfare organisations in Spain urgently need help. We are collecting donations for dog food and funding medical treatment.

We demand an end to the abuse of galgos for hunting. We call for consequences for the mistreatment of dogs. And we advocate for legal regulations that include hunting dogs and protecting them from exploitation and cruelty. Every signature counts!

Spanish hunting dogs are excluded from legal protection measures. Email the responsible authorities and make your voice heard.

Share our campaign through your social media accounts and encourage those around you to support the Saving Spain’s Hunting Dogs initiative.