In October 2025, in Arganda del Rey, near Madrid, Civil Guard officers were confronted with a shocking scene. During a routine inspection, they stumbled upon a small building where dozens of dogs were locked in a cramped space filled with filth and waste. The animals were deprived of basic living conditions: no water, no food, and no fresh air.
Inside, chaos reigned. The dogs were forced to huddle on top of each other amid unsanitary conditions. Most of them had neither microchips nor any documents proving their origin or health status. Only one of the animals was found to have a microchip. Authorities immediately summoned environmental specialists and a veterinarian to assess the condition of the dogs.
After examining the dogs, the veterinarian noted that at first glance, there were no obvious signs of physical abuse or serious injuries. However, the living conditions raised serious concerns about their future health. Due to the large number of animals and unpredictable behavior of some, additional experts from local agencies and the Madrid administration joined the rescue operation.
After the evacuation of all 52 dogs, they were temporarily placed in various shelters, where volunteers are now caring for them. Authorities hope that most of them will soon find new owners. However, the story did not end there: the bodies of six dead dogs were found in the same building. One of the bodies was sent to a laboratory to determine the cause of death. An investigation is currently underway to establish who is responsible for what happened and how long such treatment of the animals had been taking place.
