Tragedy in Badajoz: Guardia Civil Finds 32 Dogs Dead on Rural Property

Badajoz, Spain — A shocking case of alleged animal neglect has shaken the community of Azuaga, in the province of Badajoz. The Guardia Civil has discovered the bodies of 32 dogs in various states of decomposition on a private finca, in what authorities describe as “deplorable conditions of salubrity, without food or water”.

According to official reports, the animals had allegedly been abandoned since June. Some were found loose on the property, others chained or confined in enclosed boxes. Investigators from the Seprona environmental unit stated that many of the dogs were so emaciated that starvation was the apparent cause of death. Disturbingly, evidence suggests some of the surviving animals may have attempted to feed on the remains of those that had already perished.

The discovery was made last week when a Seprona patrol, acting on suspicions of animal mistreatment, inspected a large agricultural building on the property. The inspection was conducted in the presence of the owner, a resident of the same municipality in the Campiña Sur comarca. Inside, officers found the carcasses scattered across different areas of the installation, with visible signs of extreme thinness and prolonged neglect.

Authorities have identified the property owner as the main suspect in a criminal investigation for animal abandonment. Spanish law considers the omission of essential care leading to death as a serious offence, carrying potential prison terms and bans on animal ownership. The collected evidence has been sent to the Court of Instruction in Llerena and the Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of Badajoz, which will determine the next steps in the legal process.

The incident has sparked public outrage across Spain, with animal rights groups calling for harsher penalties and stronger enforcement to prevent similar tragedies. Local residents describe feelings of shock and sadness, noting that such large‑scale neglect is rare but devastating when it occurs.

This case also reignites the national debate on animal welfare legislation, particularly the capacity of authorities to monitor and intervene in rural or isolated properties where abuse can go undetected for months.

For now, the focus remains on the judicial investigation — and on ensuring the surviving animals, if any, receive immediate care.

^{Sources: Guardia Civil statement, regional press coverage including La Voz de Galicia.}