Life4dogs
Magazine
Hall of Shame – In memory of the victims
Dog beheaded in Tenerife – even the sound of these words takes your breath away. In Tequeste, the life of little Chihuahua Boli ended in a cruelty that leaves even hardened animal rights activists stunned. His head was placed in front of his owners’ door, like a cynical message. But this was not a “normal” act of animal cruelty, but an escalation in the dispute between squatters and the owner. A conflict over walls and rooms turned into a brutal attack on an innocent creature – and a case that has gripped the whole of Spain.
Boli’s owners lived in a house that did not belong to them. They were squatters, while the alleged perpetrator was the rightful owner ¹. However, instead of taking legal action, he apparently resorted to one of the most perfidious forms of intimidation: he took the family’s dog and executed it. Placing the severed head on the doorstep was not meant to be a message “between the lines” – it was open, brutal intimidation ².
On March 26, 2025, the owner discovered her dog’s head. Days later, the body was found on a nearby property ³. This cruel staging turned the animal murder into an act of terror. Those who act in this way want not only to kill, but to cause maximum pain. The dog became a puppet in a power game that has nothing to do with civilization.
For serious animal cruelty, the Spanish penal code provides for 12 to 24 months’ imprisonment and a ban on keeping animals for several years ⁴. Sounds harsh – in practice, it often means probation. As a result, the population no longer believes in swift justice. Too often, perpetrators in Spain get away with mild punishments ⁷.
This is not only a legal problem, it is a moral one. Because as long as animal cruelty is not punished with the severity it deserves, it remains socially “cheap.”
The news of the “dog beheaded in Tenerife” spread like wildfire. Spain’s animal welfare party PACMA called the case a “barbaric act” and demanded uncompromising severity ⁵. Neighbors also reacted with shock and anger. The fact that a property dispute ended in such a violent act has shaken the confidence of many people.
While the justice system is still investigating, it is once again the organizations and volunteers who are protesting the loudest. They have been fighting for more animal rights for years – but without social support, they are reaching their limits. Support through donations or the decision to adopt a dog yourself are concrete ways to not only be outraged, but also to take action.
The mistreatment of a dog is never “just” an attack on an animal. It reveals an attitude: that power is more important than life. Violence against animals is almost always part of a larger pattern – and those who treat animals this way will not respect humans either. That is why the Tequeste case cannot be dismissed as an “exception.” It is a warning sign.
To date, there has been no verdict. The alleged perpetrator has been identified and registered as a suspect, but the justice system is slow. For those affected, this is a double torment: first the loss, then the uncertainty. Spain has enacted new animal welfare laws, but as long as they are not consistently enforced, they remain mere paper ⁶.
Dog beheaded in Tenerife – this sentence now stands for more than a crime. It stands for the weakness of a society that still does not regard animals as equal fellow creatures. It is a memorial to hatred that destroys lives and to a justice system that must finally understand: animal cruelty is not a “minor drama,” but a disgrace that affects us all.
¹ Atlántico Hoy – Perpetrator was owner, victims were squatters
² elDiario.es – Guardia Civil investigates suspected perpetrator
³ Eldigitalsur – Guardia Civil finds the body of “Boli”
⁴ ABC – Penalties for animal cruelty under Spanish law
⁵ Europapress – PACMA calls for tougher action
⁶ New animal welfare law in Spain
⁷230 Victims of Dogfights in Tenerife
