Dear Galgofriends,
Our efforts on the EU front have not been in vain! Yesterday, the members of the European Parliament sent the official letter to the President of Spain, which we have inserted below. Though it does not address the issue of indiscriminate breeding, it strongly addresses the political neglect of the horrendous cruelty inflicted upon the galgos. Their call for an urgent response cannot remain unanswered!
Furthermore, and especially important to gain more exposure within the EU, Miss Liotard presented an extensive written question to the EU Commission yesterday. Here not only the cruelty and neglect, but also the indiscriminate breeding and dumping is a topic of concern. Through this question, the plight of the galgo is once again highlighted on the European political stage.
Without your cooperation and support it would not have gained this attention. To increase the impact and visibility, we would like to ask you to post the letter on your website. We therefore send both the letter as well as the translation of the written question to you as attachment.
For our Spanish friends, we are working on a translation, but this might take a bit longer.
Hopefully the response from both the Spanish government as from the EU Commission will not take too long. As soon as we have further news, we will let you know.
Once again, thank you very much for your efforts and support.
Warm regards,
Letty Ubbink
PR-team Greyhounds Rescue Holland
Letty, Linda & Lex.
Please use the Zoom (CTRL and +) in case you cannot read it.
Question for written answer
to the Commission
Rule 117
Kartika Liotard
Is the Commission aware of the atrocities inflicted upon the Spanish greyhounds, known as galgos, which are bred indiscriminately in Spain and, following this, those dogs that are deemed of lesser use are burned alive, doused in acid, hung or dumped ?
Does the Commission consider these practices within the limits of art. 13 of the Lisbon Treaty, which obliges member states to take animal welfare into full regard?
If the Commission refers to the second part of art 13, which refers to cultural traditions, to refrain from any action in this matter, so claiming that the killing of galgos would be such a cultural tradition, does the Commission therefore claim that cultural traditions give permission to all kinds of animal cruelty? Is there, according to the Commission a limit in this?
Is the Commission aware of art. 337 of the Spanish Legal Code, which prohibits animal cruelty and which is now punishable as a crime?
How does the Commission view the fact that enforcement of this article, especially with regards to the cruelty against galgos, is almost non-existent.
Is the Commission prepared to urge Spain to enforce this art. 337 concerning blatant animal cruelty?
If the Commission does not see it as her responsibility to urge member states to enforce important national legislation, then why does she urge Greece to enforce the Greek tax legislation? Is according to the Commission animal welfare less important than issues with an economic interest?
Can the Commission deny that European subsidies are also granted to Spanish farmers who also play a part in the indiscriminate breeding and subsequent cruelties against galgos?
Is the Commission prepared to call upon the enterprises and farms that are being subsidised but take part in the abuse of galgos to refrain from these activities. Is the Commission prepared to call for financial santions against these enterprises?
Will the Commission propose a solution for the problem of abuse and neglect of the galgos in the new strategy for animal welfare? Will she consider even mentioning this problem?
If not, how does the Commission view the inherent value of this new strategy?
Date: 3 oktober 2011
