In Cantabria, an unusual solution is under discussion: a new employee has joined the famous Cabárceno park—a nine-month-old German shepherd named Roy. The reason is a series of incidents involving damaged service vehicles, which have cost the budget a significant sum. According to El Confidencial, regional authorities are confident that the dog will help stop the culprits and protect park property.
The problem began in the spring of last year, when park staff started noticing that, in the mornings, their cars were found with slashed tires and severed brake cables. At first, suspicion fell on possible sabotage within the team. However, after several months of investigation, it turned out that people weren’t to blame—it was wild animals: European martens (martas), which roam freely throughout the park.
Investigation and search for a solution
Park employees and police spent months trying to identify the cause. Cameras were installed, fences were erected, but the animals kept damaging the vehicles. Only after an official report from the Civil Guard did it become clear: martens were chewing the cables, attracted by the smell of plastic and rubber. Attempts to fence off the parking area proved futile—the animals always found a way in.
As a result, the management of Cantur, the company overseeing the park, decided to acquire a specially trained dog. They considered adopting an animal from a shelter, but opted to purchase a puppy so they could supervise its training and behavior from the start. A total of €8,239 was allocated for Roy’s acquisition, food, and care, including a doghouse and a year’s supply of feed.
A new role for Roy
Roy lives separately from the park’s other animals, on a dedicated plot under constant supervision. During the day, he stays on his territory; at night, he patrols the parking area when service vehicles are left unattended. According to the head of security, since the dog arrived, cases of vehicle damage have stopped. Martens avoid the parking lot when they sense the German Shepherd’s presence and no longer risk approaching the cars.
In the coming months, Roy will undergo further training at a specialized center to deter pests even more effectively. Importantly, the dog does not attack animals—he simply scares them away by being there. The park’s management emphasizes that the goal is not to harm local wildlife, but to protect property and minimize losses.
Debate and response from unions
Not everyone agrees with the official version. Representatives of the Comisiones Obreras (CCOO) union expressed doubts that martens could have so neatly damaged the cables. They are demanding more transparency and access to the Guardia Civil report, arguing that the damage might be linked to internal conflicts or the installation of GPS equipment in the service cars. Authorities in Cantabria, however, insist all incidents are caused by wild animals, not by human actions.
The issue of whether such spending on a dog is justified has also sparked debate. Some believe the amount is excessive, while others find it reasonable considering the cost of repairs and renting new vehicles. Last year, Cantur purchased 13 SUVs at €94,000 each for a five-year lease, which became another topic of discussion among employees and the public.
In recent years, Spain has seen an uptick in incidents where wild animals damage urban infrastructure and transportation. In Madrid and Barcelona, there have been cases of rodents damaging cables and wiring. Some regions have also used guard dogs or installed ultrasonic repellents to address similar problems. However, such significant spending on a single dog, as in Cabárceno, is rare. Experts note that these measures can be effective if combined with other methods of property protection.
