Puy du Fou dismisses staff after violations in animal burial exposed. Three staff members have been dismissed from Puy du Fou park in Toledo following an internal investigation. The reason was violations in the procedure for burying animals used in shows. Authorities and environmental groups are demanding further inspections.
A scandal has erupted at Puy du Fou park in Toledo after management dismissed three employees responsible for the animals due to violations discovered in the burial of deceased animals. The decision was made following an internal investigation launched after complaints from former workers about non-compliance with the rules for disposing of animals used in shows. According to the company, these were “isolated cases” where staff did not follow the established protocols for the removal and documentation of dead animals.
The investigation began two weeks ago after media reports and appeals from former employees who provided chat messages from work conversations. The messages discussed cases of burying geese, sheep, rabbits, and other animals, as well as remains after births, on the park grounds, about 500 meters from the visitor entrance. The company acknowledged that some animals were buried without the necessary paperwork, as they had not yet been registered in official databases or were not required by law to be individually documented.
The management of Puy du Fou stated that, as a rule, animal disposal is handled by a specialized company that documents every case. However, an internal investigation revealed that some members of the animal department acted outside the park's established procedures and ethical standards. The published statement emphasizes that such actions are incompatible with the company's values, condemning not only the violations themselves but also the inappropriate tone of discussions in employee chats.
In response to the incident, the park announced a series of new measures: the creation of an Animal Welfare Committee, investments of up to 750,000 euros to improve living conditions, strengthened internal controls, and mandatory staff training on animal handling. A system for tracking and recording all animals is also being implemented to prevent repeat occurrences.
The environmental organization Ecologistas en Acción has already filed a criminal complaint, accusing the park of possible animal cruelty, environmental harm, and creating a health hazard. Activists are demanding the temporary closure of the park until all investigations are complete, and criticize regional authorities for their lack of response. Authorities in Castilla-La Mancha previously stated that they had not received any specific complaints, and an inspection in November 2025 found no violations. Nevertheless, a regional government representative has not ruled out new administrative measures if violations of the law are confirmed.
According to Puy du Fou, no mass violations have been recorded since July 2025. In October of that year, local police inspected the park following an anonymous tip, but no evidence supporting the allegations was found. In September 2025, an external informant reported possible violations, but an internal audit at that time did not reveal any issues. Only after analyzing new evidence and messenger correspondence were isolated incidents of non-compliance discovered.
Puy du Fou Park in Toledo is one of the largest theme parks in Spain, attracting up to 1.7 million visitors annually and employing around 1,300 people. In the coming years, the company plans to open three new hotels within the complex. Issues of safety and oversight at regional tourist sites remain relevant: previously, other incidents involving service sector violations have been discussed in the country, for example, the uncovering of fraudulent schemes with fake SMS in Navarre.
For reference: Spain has a strict animal welfare law that regulates not only the conditions of animal keeping, but also procedures for the disposal of deceased animals. Violations can lead to administrative or criminal liability. The scandal surrounding Puy du Fou has reignited the debate on the need for transparent oversight regarding the treatment of animals in the entertainment and tourism industries.
