Statistics

ANDALUCIA HAS THE WORST RECORD IN SPAIN FOR ABANDONING PET DOGS WITH A TOTAL OF 15,000 PER ANNUM, 12,000 OF WHICH ARE DUMPED IN THE PROVINCE OF MALAGA

The world society for the protection of animals says tens of thousands of spanish hunting and racing dogs, known as Galgo's or Podenco's, are hung every year following the end of the season.

WSPA says it found dead dogs with nooses around their necks, dumped in shallow graves, or their corpses hanging from trees.

According to the WSPA dogs that did badly in the hunting season were hung by a low noose. The practice was known as the 'piano player' because the dogs would frantically scrabble their legs in an effort to reach the ground

Dogs that did well in the hunting season were given a quicker death by being hung at a greater height

A spokesman for WSPA said it was scandalous that Spain, which holds the current presidency of the European Union, should allow such cruelty and abuse of animals.