Don’t leave them unattended

Thanks to the online courses in animal law that I give at DeAnimals, I have had the privilege of getting to know people with big hearts who are very involved with protecting animals.

Francina is one of these people, a very special student for me who I consider a good friend and a travel companion in the world of animal protection.

Thanks to her dedication, her hours of study and also the security and support we have given at DeAnimals during her course in Expert Animal Protection Legislation, Francina has sent me the article you are about to read and she will give conferences on this subject. Congratulations!

“Imagine that you take your loyal four-legged friend for a walk and leave it untethered for a few minutes outside the supermarket, because you remembered at the last minute that you need to buy something before going to look after your mother – something that you hadn’t even thought about.

Suddenly, just a few minutes later and just as you are paying at the till, you hear a commotion in the street just outside the shop, where you had left your companion sitting calmly. A shocked looking woman comes in and you ask her ‘What happened?’

As you walk out, you instinctively look to where you had left your loyal companion and you see it being attacked by someone who gives it two hard and fatal kicks in the abdomen. You call out desperately and tremble as you approach, then it collapses convulsing and dies at your feet.

This situation could happen in any neighbourhood of any town or municipality. Some dogs stay waiting outside a shop or establishment while their owners go shopping or carry out some chores.

‘It’s just a few munities,’ they believe, trustingly.

No-one could have imagined something like this, but this tragic ending is based on a true story. The real owner of Blas could not believe such a terrible nightmare either.

Although the person responsible was convicted of animal abuse under article 337 of the penal code, they were sentenced to just eight months in prison and two years of being banned from owning an animal, as well as to pay financial compensation for moral damages. Moreover the prison sentence ended up being substituted for 240 days of community service.

However, absolutely nobody was able to bring Blas back to life.

Blas was the victim of a situation that could have been avoided. Any dog that is alone in the street waiting for its owner is exposed to many dangers, from being the victim of a robbery to use it in clandestine dog fights, to an accidental situation in which the dog could become involved in an attack with another dog, person or child.

Attacks of this sort, although usually minor, can result in our dog automatically being declared potentially dangerous, even if it only attacks a person or other animal to defend itself. You can also become embroiled in an anti-rabies vigilance protocol which can be quite unpleasant both for the animal and for its family.

A dog in this situation could escape, shocked by any unexpected noise, thus causing some kind of dangerous situation that makes their owner liable to pay compensation for damages depending on the extent of what happened.

Article 1,905 of the civil code states:

‘The owner of an animal, or whoever acts as such, is responsible for the harm it may cause, even if it has escaped or is lost. This responsibility only ends if the damage is caused by force majeure or is the fault of the person who suffered it.’

Situations like these seem unimaginable but unfortunately they really do happen.

Don’t leave them unattended, even for a few minutes, as many of them become nervous in our absence and this can seriously endanger their lives.”

Francina Peinado Gil

If you are planning to dedicate yourself to a professional career in animal law, I have a double gift for you.

1. A very special discount for all our online courses in animal law, which is only valid during the month of July.

2. Half an hour of totally free mentoring with me, in which I will explain the professions available in animal law and which online course would be best suited to your profile.

For more information about this discount and how to access the mentoring with me, write to me using the contact form on my website, www.deanimals.com

More information about Raquel's work is available on her website, www.deanimals.com, and Facebook page: DeAnimals.