World Galgo Day
Abandoned, killed, hanged: That’s how bad the fate of these dogs is
© Bianca Grueneberg / Shutterstock
The dog is man’s best friend, right? Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere. January 28, 2023 is “World Galgo Day” to commemorate the many sighthounds in Spain that are simply disposed of after the hunting season.
Galgos are greyhounds and hunting dogs. They have athletic, agile bodies and are made to run. In the family group, on the other hand, they are gentle and mostly unexcited companions. Due to their high affinity for racing, they are still used in Spain today for chasing. At the end of the hunting season, animal rights activists have a lot to do: Galgos that are no longer “usable” for hunting are abandoned or even killed.
Each year: Around 50,000 galgos are displaced or killed
The “World Galgo Day” is intended to draw attention to this situation. It is estimated that around 50,000 animals suffer this fate every year. Animal protection organizations across Europe have long protested against this abuse and are calling for legal regulations. The organizations try their best to adopt the animals well. So more and more of the gentle creatures come to Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The dogs that survive can look forward to a future with new owners. But many die at a young age. According to local animal protection organizations, it is almost impossible to find an old galgo among the hunters – even though they could actually live to be 15 years old. Either they are chased away by the hunters and possibly get into an accident or they are killed by their owners themselves – they have served their purpose, like an old pair of shoes.
Galgos are abused for (illegal) dog racing
Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop there. Galgos are often misused for (illegal) races and have now been degraded to a kind of cheap goods. The races are popular and mainly shaped by the betting business – money is the driving force. So the “breeding” of hunting dogs in Spain is very popular and is almost like mass production. It is often the hunters themselves who have their bitches whelped twice a year. They keep the strongest animals for hunting and sell the rest. What they don’t get rid of goes to the killing stations.
The athletic large dogs are characterized by their polar opposites. You love the quiet, appreciate a soft, comfortable bed and don’t say no to cuddles. On the other hand, they are energetic, self-reliant and assert their place in the family. Anyone interested in this breed will definitely find what they are looking for at an animal protection organization. There are many organizations that specialize only in this breed.
Galgo marches throughout Germany
On January 28, 2023, so-called “Galgo Marches” will be organized throughout Germany. These marches are walks together to draw more attention to the fate of the dogs. These take place in Cologne, Munich, Berlin, Saarbrücken and Hamburg, among others. Bremen is the march on February 4, 2023. You can find all information about the meeting times and times at the Galgo help.
Watch out! Choosing the right animal welfare organization is important
A tip: If possible, try to visit the dog and get to know it before adopting it. Many animal protection organizations have foster homes in Germany where the dogs can first arrive. Here the dog can be visited. This is a big decision, so take the time you need. Good organizations and foster homes are happy if interested parties want to get to know the dog in peace so that they can really make the right decision.
Sources used: tagesspiegel.de, galgo-friends.org, diehundezeitung.com, galgo-hilfe.de