Tacoronte's Roaming Chickens Spark Cruelty, Poisoning Allegations
Tacoronte is grappling with escalating tensions over free-roaming chickens and roosters, leading to public safety concerns and allegations of animal cruelty, including illegal poisoning and a spearfishing gun incident, which is now under local investigation.
A growing problem with free-roaming chickens and roosters is causing big arguments among people in Tacoronte. The situation has gotten so bad that there are now complaints about animal cruelty and dangers to public safety.
The main issue is that many chickens and roosters are appearing in different parts of the town, even near the Plaza del Cristo. This has led to complaints about noise and dirty conditions. But it has also sparked outrage over violent acts against the birds.
Tensions peaked when someone reported an individual to the local police. This person allegedly used a spearfishing gun to shoot roosters because they were bothering him. This incident, which has also spread on social media, is made worse by claims that the same person is using poison. Using poison is illegal under wildlife protection laws. Such actions could be considered animal cruelty, according to article 340 bis of the Penal Code. They also pose a clear danger to public safety because there are cat colonies nearby and people regularly walk through these areas. Poison is dangerous because it can harm any animal, including pets, and could even affect human health.
Some residents are worried about the constant noise and mess these birds create, especially when people feed them without control. However, another group of residents strongly condemns any abuse of the animals. The build-up of bird droppings in public places is a particular concern, especially since the European Union recently strengthened rules against bird flu outbreaks, as the disease is becoming more common in wild birds.
This situation shows how difficult it is for local governments to manage wild animals in towns and cities. One resident from Sebastián Machado street, while against animal abuse, pointed out that it doesn't make sense to have farm animals in urban areas, not rural ones. They are calling for the town council to step in and safely catch and move the animals. Given how serious the situation is, residents have asked the local government to act quickly to protect the animals and restore peace. The local government has confirmed that the specific incident is being investigated and has therefore chosen not to comment further at this time.