It all began tragically. On October 23, 2023, a 27-year-old woman named Arancha Corcero was walking with a family member along a path connecting the village of Roales del Pan in Zamora with the neighboring municipality of La Hiniesta. Suddenly, they encountered a pack of dogs that was guarding a flock of sheep owned by a local shepherd. The group of dogs, which included several mastiffs, violently attacked Arancha, resulting in her untimely death.
The incident shocked the 923 residents of the area and has now led to a significant change in local regulations. According to reports from EFE Agency, Roales del Pan will implement a new ordinance starting July 23, which imposes fines of up to €200,000 for domestic animal attacks that result in serious injuries.
The newly established Municipal Animal Ownership Ordinance specifies fines based on the severity of the injuries caused by any animal attack. For minor injuries that do not require surgery or hospitalization, the fine will be €501. In cases of serious injuries, drivers can expect fines ranging from €10,001 to €50,000. The most severe cases will incur penalties between €50,001 and €200,000.
Consequences are deemed very serious if the victim requires hospitalization for more than three days, suffers permanent physical effects, or dies from the attack. In cases of severe or very severe attacks, authorities will confiscate the attacking animal, as was the case with the dogs that killed Arancha, which were subsequently put down by court order.
The owner of the dogs, a resident of La Hiniesta, is currently under judicial investigation for possible involuntary manslaughter. While the dogs were properly registered and had the required microchips, authorities are looking into whether any negligence was involved regarding their management, especially since the dogs had a history of aggressive behavior.
Spanish laws clearly establish the responsibility of pet owners in the event of attacks or damage caused by their animals. The Spanish Civil Code states in Article 1905 that “the possessor of an animal, or the person using it, is responsible for the harm it causes, even if it escapes or is lost.” This means that the owner of the dogs that attacked Arancha is liable for the damages caused by their pets, regardless of the circumstances. This legal principle is based on the expectation that pet owners should maintain adequate control of their animals to prevent dangerous situations.
Beyond civil responsibilities, the Spanish Penal Code also provides for criminal penalties for pet owners whose animals cause injuries or fatalities. Under Article 142 of the Penal Code, “anyone who, through gross negligence, causes the death of another will be punished as a perpetrator of involuntary manslaughter with a prison sentence of one to four years.”
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/espana/2024/07/21/este-pueblo-multara-con-200000-euros-las-agresiones-de-perros-contra-personas/
