23/11/2025
𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐑
Justice Secured for Animal Victims in Benidorm Court Case
Criminal Court No. 2 of Benidorm has sentenced a man from El Verger to 24 months in prison, suspended for three years, following his conviction for animal abuse and theft with force at the SCAN animal shelter.
The incident, which took place in 2023, saw the perpetrator break into the shelter, causing over €800 in damage, and fatally assaulting one cat while abducting another. SCAN’s swift response, bolstered by CCTV evidence and dedicated legal action, led to a successful prosecution on 4th November 2025.
This landmark ruling is a significant victory for animal rights in Spain and highlights the commitment of SCAN and its legal partners to justice for vulnerable animals.
𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲
A truly dreadful event happened at SCAN on 25th July 2023, when the shelter was closed to the public. Due to a previous attempt to break in, the shelter had installed CCTV cameras in the key areas. What we saw on camera was chilling.
A man entered the shelter, after climbing onto the roof and making a hole in the metal mesh protecting the area.
Once inside, he went to the area where the cats were kept and entered cage no. 9, where there were two short-tailed cats, one called ‘Rio’, which was black, and the other called ‘Mini’, which was black and white, who were living at the shelter under the care of the charity. They should have been safe, under the protection of the charity.
On CCTV, we were later able to see the man assault both cats, resulting in the immediate death of “Rio”. He continued to abuse “Mini”, and left the premises, taking the cat with him. It has not been possible to prove whether he caused it further injury or killed it.
Furthermore, the man caused over €800 worth of damage to the premises.
Volunteers who later arrived at the shelter, were traumatised at the scene that greeted them.
𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲
The assailant was quickly identified, and the police became involved. SCAN was absolutely determined to make the assailant accountable for his actions and worked closely with legal professionals and the public prosecutor to ensure justice for the animals involved. This was a case that would take over 2 years to reach court and has become something of a land-mark victory in the battle for animal rights in Spain.
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐞
Due to the work and commitment of the most senior officers at SCAN, joining forces with an excellent barrister and contributing to the work of the public prosecutor, a criminal case was held in Benidorm on 4th November 2025 to hold this individual accountable for his actions.
The accused, of legal age and with no criminal record, has been sentenced to 2 years in prison, suspended for three years, under strict conditions: The sentencing stipulated that he must:
1. Not commit any further crimes.
2. Not own or work with animals.
3. Complete mandatory training in animal welfare.
4. Pay €1,500 in civil damages to the shelter.
5. Stay at least 500 meters away from the SCAN shelter.
Any breach will revoke the suspension and lead to imprisonment.
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝
Barry Caulfield, President of SCAN, said: “According to the sentence, there will be no prison, and we consider the facts very serious. But at least justice protects us: he must compensate us, cannot approach us, must train to understand the gravity of his acts, and cannot have animals for a time. We did not seek revenge, but we demanded guarantees so this never happens again.”
Eloi Sarrió, lawyer from Aboganimal, added: “The Penal Code falls short in punishing crimes against animals. That said, we achieved a tightly bound suspension of prison, and we will be vigilant. If he fails, the path is clear: revocation and prison.”
𝐏𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
In other European countries, animal abuse resulting in death carries around 5 years in prison. In Spain, it is less than half that. This means prison is unlikely for first-time offenders. The maximum penalty for animal abuse resulting in death is 24 months, which allows suspension.
This ruling shows Spain’s penal framework is too lenient against violence toward animals. Still, within that framework, the court used all available preventive tools: punishment, re-education, and protection of the shelter.
SCAN is grateful to everyone who worked together to obtain justice for Rio and Mini. They will not be forgotten.
