Guadalajara man arrested for suspected animal cruelty

A 67-year-old man has been arrested in Guadalajara, Spain, on suspicion of animal cruelty following the death of his dog. The investigation was launched after a member of the public alerted the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) of the Brihuega Guardia Civil to a dog's body partially hidden in the undergrowth along the River Jarama near Uceda.

Veterinary examinations and X-rays revealed the animal died from severe head trauma caused by a blunt object, which resulted in a fractured skull. Authorities were able to identify the owner through the dog's mandatory microchip.

Under Spain's Penal Code, the mistreatment or abandonment of domestic animals can result in prison sentences of up to two years, as well as bans on animal ownership and professional work involving animals.