Equine welfare and theft incidents reported in Argentina and Spain

In Argentina, police in Campo Quijano investigated the theft of a horse and its tack near the Gauchito Gil shrine. The animal was recovered in the San Jorge neighborhood, but the saddle and equipment had been dismantled and distributed among several local residents. A suspect known as ‘Pochochón’ was detained after authorities recovered various items, including a cinch, stirrups, and a bridle, from different homes.

In Spain, authorities in Moaña reported the discovery of two horses with their legs tied in the Xaxán forest. The animals, which included a foal, were found with ropes or traps used to prevent them from escaping. While the Guardia Civil’s Seprona unit attempted to intervene, the animals fled into steep terrain. Local animal welfare groups noted that such practices are illegal under the Animal Welfare Law and can result in significant fines or imprisonment, though identifying owners remains difficult due to a lack of identification chips.