Seventy dogs seized

Alicante local police removed 70 small dogs from a 70 sqm apartment

ALICANTE local police removed 70 small dogs from a 70 sqm apartment in Alicante's Ciudad de Asís neighbourhood after receiving a complaint.

The owner of the dogs, a 45year-old woman, was arrested for animal cruelty, as one of the dog's was found in terrible condition inside a washing machine.

The woman lived in the apartment with her partner and a 19-year-old man. As well as the dogs, they had three cockatiels, two tortoises, a ferret and a dove.

Local police paid a visit to the apartment following up a complaint by a neighbour.

On entering they saw 25 dogs in the lounge and the owner sat on the sofa watching TV, the majority of dogs were small Terrier types aged between 10 and 14.

After checking the dogs for microchips, the police were going to take away 23 and leave the only two that were chipped and vaccinated, but on entering two other rooms that had padlocks on the door, they were shocked to find another 45 dogs, mainly Chihuahuas and Pomeranians, including many puppies.

All the dogs were removed by the local animal protection service in a joint operation coordinated by the town's safety and animal protection departments.

The owner was arrested for animal cruelty and social services called in to inspect the apartment as there was dog faeces everywhere.

Marisa Gayo, Alicante's animal protection councillor, called on the general public to inform the police if they suspect any similar cases.

She also said that fines for animal cruely are very severe. The owner of 22 dogs rescued in poor condition last August was fined €12,000