Over 50 dogs rescued in Palmela animal welfare operation

Portugal’s GNR police have rescued 54 dogs and identified two people on suspicion of animal cruelty following an animal welfare inspection in Quinta do Anjo, Palmela.

The operation took place last Thursday and Friday after authorities received a complaint through the SOS Ambiente e Território environmental hotline about poor conditions at a property in an illegal urban area (Área Urbana de Génese Ilegal).

According to the GNR’s Setúbal Territorial Command, the inspection was carried out by its Environmental Protection Unit (NPA), with support from the Directorate-General for Food and Veterinary Affairs (DGAV), Palmela’s municipal veterinarian and the municipal council’s inspection service.

The operation resulted in the seizure of 54 dogs. Of these, 34 were handed over to animal welfare organisations, 17 were placed in the custody of a designated caretaker and three were returned to their owner.

The GNR also issued two criminal reports for alleged animal cruelty and two administrative offences relating to inadequate hygiene and unsuitable accommodation conditions for the animals.

The case has been forwarded to the Setúbal Judicial Court.

The operation comes a week after authorities removed more than 400 dogs from a property in Amarante in one of Portugal’s largest-ever animal welfare operations.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.