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Date Published: 20/01/2026

Brit activists take to UK streets in march against cruelty to hunting dogs in Spain

UK dog lovers join Europe-wide demonstrations calling for an end to hunting dog abuse in Spain

Dog lovers across the UK are set to turn out in force at the end of January, with peaceful protests planned in several major cities to demand better protection for Spanish hunting dogs.

Campaigners say the demonstrations are about giving a voice to thousands of animals that cannot speak for themselves, particularly Galgos and Podencos used in traditional hunting practices in Spain. Many of the protesters will be bringing their own dogs along, turning the marches into a visible show of solidarity.

Animal welfare groups argue that these dogs often endure harsh living conditions throughout their working lives. According to the charity Hope for Podencos, many spend years kept “on short leashes, without protection from the elements” or, in some cases, “crammed into dark sheds”.

The organisation rescues and rehomes Podencos and other hunting dogs and continues to campaign for stronger legal protection, pointing out that these animals remain largely unprotected under Spanish law.

Anger over the issue intensified in 2023 when Spanish Parliament excluded hunting dogs from new national animal welfare legislation. That decision sparked the creation of the UK-based campaign group Free Spanish Hounds (FSH), which has since been working to raise awareness and apply pressure for legal reform.

This isn’t the first time England has shown its support for Spanish hunting dogs. Just last year, dozens of pet owners in London took to the streets with their dogs on February 4, holding a peaceful demonstration in support of animal welfare groups in Spain.

At the same time, large scale protests were taking place across Spain.

FSH is now helping to organise protests taking place on January 31 and February 1 in Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester and London. The weekend marks the end of the hunting season in Spain, a period campaigners say is particularly dangerous for dogs no longer considered useful.

A spokesperson for FSH says many animals are abandoned or killed once the season ends, often in ways that “seek to prolong suffering”. Hope for Podencos adds that for some hunters, “It’s cheaper to get rid of old dogs and breed or buy others for the next season than to keep a pack fed until then”.

Demonstrations are also planned in 45 cities across Spain and in 35 locations throughout Europe, bringing together campaigners from different countries under a shared cause.

Adva Shimsy, founder of FSH, says the aim is to stand united across borders and call for an end to the “suffering of Spanish hunting dogs”.

Image: Platforma NAC

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