On June 1, 2024, around 200 people rallied for a standardized animal welfare law in Europe, accompanied by dozens of hunting dogs, in front of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg to draw attention to the unacceptable conditions associated with hunting in Spain. The message is clear and understandable in every respect:
“We demand a standardized animal welfare law for the whole of Europe!”
The EU has been talking about a Standardized animal welfare law since 1987, but nothing has changed in this time and each country regulates its own animal welfare law.
Spain is the best example of how necessary a Standardized animal welfare law is for the whole of Europe. Animals are tortured, tormented and killed in popular festivals or so-called cultural or traditional activities. Bullfighting continues to be declared a cultural heritage, although the sole purpose of this tradition is to rush the animals in a state of fear and to execute them slowly and painfully at the end!
Standardized animal welfare law in Europe to save hunting dogs in Spain
Consider the fact that in Spain, a new animal welfare law came into force on 29 September 2023. The fact that a new animal welfare law came into force on September 29, 2023, which, according to the BOE, is intended to “protect all animals living in Spain and ensure their welfare”, is actually just hypocrisy to appear good to the outside world. An illustrative example in the context of the demonstration in front of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg is the fact that the mandatory dog course for dog owners of hunting and / or herding dogs does not have to be completed.
This raises the question: Why do dog owners of hunting and / or herding dogs not have to take the course? It is precisely these dogs that are often tortured by their owners and treated like garbage, and all over Spain! Unfortunately, the Spanish are not so friendly towards animal welfare, which is also reflected in the fact that only a few Spaniards took part in the demonstration because there was a soccer match going on in Spain.
The demo was able to welcome representatives of political parties, associations and clubs in front of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. These included representatives from Parti Pirate, Parti animaliste, Our country Mouvement Alsacien, Écologie au Centre, S.C.A Solidarité Cause Animale, as well as the city councillor Mrs. Hamard. Also providing great support for the demonstration was Ms. María Teresa García Rodríguez, representing the Plataforma NAC from Spain, who have been fighting against the hunting, cruel keeping and killing of dogs in their country since 2010.
Next demonstration for a Standardized animal welfare law in Europe
It remains to be hoped that the EU Parliament will finally follow up its grand speeches with action in relation to a Standardized animal welfare law for the whole of Europe. It has already been announced that the next demonstration for a Standardized animal welfare law for the whole of Europe will take place on June 1, 2025 on Kléber Square in Strasbourg!
