Editing Galgo Español (section)

== Animal cruelty concerns ==
There are many reports of Galgos being treated cruelly by their hunters and breeders in Spain.<ref>{{cite web|date=2010|title=Spanish greyhounds' hunting agony|url=http://observers.france24.com/en/20100716-spanish-greyhounds-hunting-agony-spain-animal-torture-game-punishment|website=[[France24]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Brennan|first=Beryl|date=22 March 2011|title=The starving dogs that give Spain a bad name|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/8382998/The-starving-dogs-that-give-Spain-a-bad-name.html|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> An estimated 50,000 to 100,000 Galgos and [[Podencos]] are killed, often brutally, each year by their hunters, also known as {{Lang|es|galgueros}}.<ref>{{cite web|date=24 July 2007|title=Fast work by the Galgo rescuers|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/4204502/Fast-work-by-the-galgo-rescuers.html|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> Methods of killing reportedly include burning,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-10-26|title=Traditional Hunting Dogs Are Left to Die En Masse in Spain|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/10/spanish-galgo-hunting-dog-killing-welfare/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001205414/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2016/10/spanish-galgo-hunting-dog-killing-welfare/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 1, 2019|access-date=2020-10-24|website=[[National Geographic]]|language=en}}</ref> hanging, stoning, and poisoning, which according to Finnish politician [[Laura Huhtasaari]] is "based on the belief that the more painfully a dog dies, the better luck a hunter will have next year".<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2020|title=Improving the situation of Spanish hunting dogs and adopting a directive on minimum standards for the protection of pet animals|url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/P-9-2020-000675_EN.html|access-date=2020-10-24|website=[[European Parliament]]|language=en}}</ref> Some Galgos are strapped to moving cars as part of their training, which can lead to them being dragged by the car and mangled.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 2019|title=Spain urged to stop 'torture' of unwanted greyhounds|url=https://www.thelocal.es/20190305/spain-urged-to-stop-torture-of-unwanted-greyhounds|access-date=2020-10-24|website=[[The Local]]}}</ref> Poorly performing dogs are often beaten, mutilated, starved to death, thrown down wells or hung from trees by their owners. Abusing dogs that hunt poorly was a widespread practice, as there were no penalties for hunters. A new law, as of January 5, 2022, amends the Civil Code to provide that animals may no longer be considered 'things' but 'sentient beings' and family members, and that animal owners are now required to provide proper care to ensure their animals’ well-being in accordance with the characteristics of each species.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez-Ferrand |first=Graciela |date=2022 |title=Spain: New Law Providing for Increased Protection of Animals Adopted |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2022-01-17/spain-new-law-providing-for-increased-protection-of-animals-adopted/ |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=[[Library of Congress]]}}</ref>
For the reasons described above, associations in defense of the Galgo have appeared with the aim to save these dogs from a terrible fate, provide much needed rehabilitation and find them adoptive homes, usually in the cities. Some associations will adopt them to other locations in Europe, including France, the U.K., Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Georgia couple met a dog breed they had never seen — and became their champions|url=https://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/galgos-galgopod-podenco-rescue}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=13 February 2018|title=Woman rescues Spanish greyhounds, gives them new purpose|url=http://www.njherald.com/20180213/woman-rescues-spanish-greyhounds-gives-them-new-purpose#//|access-date=20 August 2018|archive-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820173014/http://www.njherald.com/20180213/woman-rescues-spanish-greyhounds-gives-them-new-purpose#//|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Briton fights to end Spanish dog hangings|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=23 October 2011|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/briton-fights-to-end-spanish-dog-hangings-1278862.html}}</ref>