Tenerife Court Orders Retrial in Animal Abuse Case After Overturning Acquittal

The Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has ordered a retrial in an animal abuse case, overturning a previous acquittal. The court ruled that the initial trial failed to properly evaluate the evidence, necessitating a new hearing for a 68-year-old man from Arico, Tenerife.

The case centers on the neglect of eleven dogs, including five Canarian Warren Hounds, discovered on the man’s property in 2018. Police reports described a dire situation: the animals were malnourished, suffering from parasites, and living in filthy conditions surrounded by excrement. They also lacked proper shelter from the elements and were left to roam the property without supervision.

The Provincial Court’s decision to reopen the case stems from the original trial’s failure to consider key expert testimony. The court noted that veterinary experts had confirmed the dogs were suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition—evidenced by their protruding bones—which constitutes animal abuse through neglect. Furthermore, the court highlighted inconsistencies in the police officers' testimonies, noting that they had reported extreme unsanitary conditions, including the discovery of a dead dog and evidence of coprophagia among the survivors, which were not adequately addressed in the first ruling.

This case has reignited the debate over how Spanish law handles animal abuse and negligence. By annulling the initial verdict, the court has emphasized the need for a thorough review of expert evidence in cases where the distinction between illness and human-caused starvation is critical. The upcoming retrial will specifically determine whether the death of one of the animals was a direct result of the defendant’s neglect.