The afternoon falls silently over Granada.But for certain local police officers, not a single minute is routine. While the city settles into its daily hustle and bustle, two plainclothes officers start their car with a very specific mission: to combat antisocial behavior and any form of animal abuse they encounter. They don't wear visible uniforms, blending in with the other pedestrians, but they are always alert, ready to flash their badges as soon as they detect the slightest irregularity.
These officials are part of a a new way of understanding animal protection In cities: specialized units, located close to neighborhoods, handle everything from complaints about stray dogs or excrement in the street to serious cases of abandonment, overcrowding, or unsanitary conditions. Their daily work combines on-site investigations, mediation with owners, and processing complaints that can result in hefty fines.
The patrol against antisocial behavior and animal abuse in Granada
In Granada, the Animal Welfare and Uncivil Behavior Unit It has marked a turning point in how problems related to pets and coexistence are addressed. Two officers, Antonio Raya and Ambrosio Rodríguez, patrol the city on foot and by car, often in civilian clothes, so as not to arouse suspicion and to be able to observe firsthand behaviors that, with a visible uniform, might not be so readily apparent.
Their immediate goal is to control uncivil behavior of dog ownersAnimals running loose in prohibited areas, disturbances to other park and plaza users, and, of course, the ongoing battle against those who leave excrement in public spaces. But their work doesn't stop there. Behind many of these behaviors lie situations of neglect, lack of basic care, or unsanitary environments for the animals, which forces these officers to go a step further and assess the actual well-being of each pet involved.
The patrol acts as a kind of “invisible guardians” of animal welfareThey blend in with people, observe how people interact with their pets, and react as soon as they notice something unusual: an overly thin dog, fearful behavior, a desperate bark behind a door, or a balcony full of urine dripping onto the street. Anything can be a warning sign.
When they identify a clear infraction, the officers approach and introduce themselves: "Hello, Local Police," they say, showing their badge. From there, a process begins that combines explanation, warning and, if necessary, complaintThey always try to make the owner understand why their behavior is problematic, both for the animal and for neighborhood coexistence, but they do not hesitate to process sanctions when the case requires it.
Often, it's the residents themselves who initiate an action. Calls to 092 or reports to the Neighborhood Police Unit allow this patrol to respond. very precise information on conflict zones or of homes where it is suspected that animals may be kept in poor conditions. Thanks to this citizen collaboration, officers can plan visits and follow-ups at specific locations in the city.
A dog locked up for years in an old bar
One of the toughest cases this patrol has faced in Granada comes after complaints from several neighbors. In an old bar that has been closed for years.Someone has been keeping a dog inside the premises for a very long time. The neighbors have been hearing the animal and noticing unpleasant smells for some time, so they decided to notify the local police.
On a first visit, the agents can only observe from the outside, but They already suspect that the dog is not being well cared for.They contacted the animal's owner, an elderly man, who agreed to meet with them and show them both the establishment and the dog itself. When the patrol returned, they found the owner at the door of the old bar, with the animal outside, ready for them to examine it.
After checking the identification, the officers verified that the dog had a chip, but detected a significant health breachThe dog has not had its mandatory rabies vaccination for several years. Specifically, the animal has not been vaccinated since 2022, meaning it is missing several consecutive years of immunization. The owner attempts to justify the situation by citing personal health problems, such as a heart attack that would have made it difficult to control the animal, but the patrol must consider the risk this poses to public health and to the dog itself.
The most shocking moment comes at open the door of the premisesThe moment the hinges are turned, an unbearable smell—a mixture of urine, feces, and accumulated filth—fills the air. Rat droppings are visible on the floor, along with damp patches that the owner has hastily attempted to clean, and urine stains are embedded in the tile grout. Despite efforts to mop and ventilate, the conditions are clearly unsuitable for a dog to live in.
One of the officers notices a front door glass with a small crackThe dog was surrounded by fur stuck to the glass. This combination leads them to suspect that the desperate dog may have scratched and pushed against the door seeking help, even injuring its nose or snout while trying to get out. For the police, everything points to a prolonged period of confinement and stress for the animal, which lacked the environment, hygiene, and stimulation it needs.
Given this situation, the agents clearly explain to the owner that He can't keep the dog in that place anymore.They inform him that they will report the case to the municipal health services and the town hall veterinarian, and that a formal complaint will be filed for the lack of rabies vaccination. Furthermore, they try to convince the man that the best course of action for everyone is look for another person or family that can offer better conditions to the animal.
The owner, somewhat overwhelmed, mentions the possibility of sell the dog or give it to someone you knowMeanwhile, the officers set a deadline: they will return at the end of the following week to check if the situation has changed. The operation doesn't end when they close the door; it begins a follow-up that could lead to further action if the animal remains in an unsuitable location.
Four large dogs in a crowded apartment
With no time to write a full report, the patrol heads to another citizen's report. This time, the complaints come from an apartment building where A young man lives in his apartment with four or five large dogs.The neighbors claim that the animals urinate inside and that the liquids end up dripping down the balconies into the homes below, in addition to having to endure barking and bad smells.
Upon arriving at the building, the officers already perceive warning signs: windows covered with plastic and cardboardThis may indicate attempts to conceal the interior or contain odors. They knock on the door and identify themselves: "Look, it's the police," one of them says, explaining to the young man that there have been complaints in the community, especially regarding his dogs.
The boy admits that he has four dogs at homeBut he begins to hesitate when asked about microchip identification. He finally admits that only two of them have one, while the other two are not properly registered. In Granada, there is also a limitation: municipal regulations do not allow more than three dogs in the same home, except in very specific cases, so the patrol detects an additional infraction.
Upon crossing the threshold, the police officers encounter a scene of widespread disorderIn the entryway, a mountain of bags, belongings, and objects are piled haphazardly, from among which a Great Dane emerges and slowly approaches. While one of the officers checks the animal's microchip, the other continues through the house and reaches the kitchen, almost hidden by boxes, empty containers, garbage, and dirty utensils that fill the space.
In a small, poorly equipped washing area, unsuitable for active animals, Two Belgian Malinois shepherds watch anxiously.They were barking and showing obvious nervousness. The young man explained that the female puppy was about to turn seven months old and the male was around a year old; in other words, they were young dogs with a lot of energy who needed exercise, mental stimulation, and a decent space to move around freely.
When asked about the origin of these dogs, the boy claims they are "rescue" animalsBut one of the officers explains that rescues handled by reputable shelters and organizations are given away with a microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, and all the necessary paperwork. The young man's story falters, and he finally confesses that they came from someone who was "giving them away," without the usual checks or guarantees.
There is still one more room to search. Upon opening it, the agents come across a strong smell of urine, like an animal that hasn't been bathed for a long timeAmidst shattered furniture and filth, a large, docile mastiff appears, greeting them meekly. One of the police officers notices that the dog is somewhat thin for its build, reinforcing the idea that the conditions are not suitable for such an animal in such a cramped apartment.
The patrol explains the situation clearly to the young man: he has four dogs when the ordinance limits it to threeSeveral of the animals are unmicrochipped, and the hygiene and living conditions are unacceptable. The combination of large animals, lack of veterinary care, disorganization, and urine leaking into other homes poses a problem for both animal welfare and neighbors.
Given the seriousness of the case, the officers decide contact the animal collection serviceThe well-known "dog pound" was called to remove at least some of the dogs. Initially, they requested the removal of one dog, but after assessing the situation as a whole, it was concluded that the most appropriate course of action was to request the removal of several animals. The young man, surprised and somewhat overwhelmed, witnessed the decision while the officers arranged the necessary logistics for the transfer.
When this operation ends, their shift isn't over. The officers return to their car and head to a city park. There, again in plainclothes, they blend in with families, athletes, and people walking their dogs. Their mission remains the same: to detect and correct any situation that endangers the welfare of animals or seriously disturbs other citizensWhenever they act, they try to ensure that the result is the restoration of a suitable coexistence and a real improvement in the lives of the affected animals.
The Animal Welfare Patrol in Granada: data, sanctions and legal framework
The city of Granada has made a firm commitment to a dedicated Animal Welfare patrol Within the Local Police, integrated into the Neighborhood Policing unit. Since its launch on February 9, this team has carried out 229 operations across all districts, a significant volume for such a new service.
Councilwoman Ana AgudoThe councilor responsible for Mobility, Citizen Protection, Urban Agenda, Sustainability, and Next Generation Funds emphasized that the results of these first few months have been very positive. For the City Council, the creation of this patrol responds to a recurring demand from residents at the District Municipal Boards, where complaints about stray dogs, excrement in public areas, and animals in poor condition or outright abandoned had been frequent.
Most of the interventions have taken place in streets, squares and parksSpecifically, 65 operations were carried out on public roads and squares, and 47 in green areas, where many of the problems of coexistence between users and animal owners are concentrated. These operations are not carried out randomly: the patrol plans its activity based on the locations that residents identify as problematic through the Neighborhood Police or by calling 092.
In addition, the unit has intervened in 23 cases of loose dogs Where regulations required dogs to be kept on a leash, 21 actions focused on identification (microchips and documentation) and 15 checks related to health vaccinations, especially rabies. Another significant group of interventions concerned dog excrement: 12 specific actions for failing to pick up feces, considered an uncivil offense that directly affects the cleanliness and image of the city.
This service is not limited to the strictly animal-related sphere. In several operations, the patrol has environmental crimes detectedsuch as illegal dumping or illegal garbage disposal, and has reported those responsible. It has also participated in rescuing dogs in poor condition and removing dead animals, tasks that require coordination with other municipal services such as cleaning, health, and environmental.
The agents, in addition to intervening on the ground, They draft monitoring reports These documents are essential for cases that need to be referred to other departments within the City Council or to other government agencies. They are crucial when potential mistreatment or a public health risk requires the intervention of veterinary services, social services, or even the judicial authorities.
Financial penalties for uncivil behavior or minor offenses related to animals can reach up to 750 eurosThe applicable regulations are primarily derived from the Municipal Ordinance on Public Order, the Street Cleaning Ordinance, and the Animal Ownership Ordinance. These are complemented by regional and national legislation on animal welfare and protection, which provides for higher penalties for cases of serious mistreatment or abandonment.
According to the councilwoman, the presence of this specific patrol in the neighborhoods allows the Local Police to... act more quickly and effectively This addresses behaviors that previously often went unanswered or were difficult to resolve. According to the report, many of these behaviors are repeated over time and generate constant tension among neighbors, so having a service dedicated exclusively to these types of problems helps reduce conflicts and improve compliance with the rules.
Green patrols and animal protection in other municipalities
Model patrols specializing in animal welfare and the environment It is not limited to Granada. In Ronda (Málaga), for example, the so-called "Green Patrol" has been operating for years.This unit, well-known to the public, frequently receives reports of abandoned dogs on farms and rural roads, where the problem of abandonment remains particularly serious.
During one of their routine duties, the patrol is alerted by the owners of a property, who detect a dog has been seen loitering in the area for days without anyone claiming them. These animals often wander disoriented, searching for food and shelter, and can be involved in accidents or situations that are risky for both themselves and people.
When the Green Patrol locates the dog, the first thing they do is check if it is wearing a badge. some type of visible identification or microchipIf the animal lacks a collar with contact information and a chip is not detected by the corresponding reader, the agents arrange for its transfer to a local animal shelter or welfare society, hoping that it can be adopted later.
While your admission to the animal shelterThe patrol begins the search for the person responsible. Abandoning animals carries very high penalties.These offenses can result in fines of thousands of euros, depending on applicable regional regulations and the severity of the offense. Furthermore, abandonment is considered a form of animal abuse, as it leaves the animal to its fate, without food, veterinary care, and exposed to all kinds of dangers.
In another documented intervention, this patrol responds to a Livestock farm reports attacks on its sheep by large dogsThe result, at least in one of the incidents, is the death of one sheep and another that is seriously injured. Officers are analyzing the scene, possible access points, and the type of injuries sustained by the livestock to try to identify the dogs responsible.
The investigation includes speaking with owners of nearby properties, reviewing any previous complaints, and anticipate the risk of the dogs attacking againBecause if they have found a vulnerable flock, they are very likely to repeat their behavior. This type of action focuses not only on the welfare of the animals involved, but also on protecting livestock farming and fostering coexistence among different uses of rural land.
Alongside these patrols, other operations are underway in Andalusia. Novel “dog patrol” initiatives in the Justice environmentA pilot project envisions specially trained dogs accompanying vulnerable victims in court, aiming to reduce stress and anxiety during testimonies and trials. This measure, part of plans to humanize the justice system, is not a typical police patrol, but it reflects the growing appreciation for the role of dogs in sensitive situations.
These experiences demonstrate that animal protection and citizen services can go hand in hand, whether through police units focused on animal welfare and the environment or through emotional support programs with dogs in judicial settings. All of this helps to raise public awareness about the importance of treating animals as sentient beings and not as mere disposable objects.
With these types of services, many Andalusian cities and municipalities are taking firm steps towards a model where animal care, street cleaning, community relations, and environmental protection are managed in a more professional, accessible, and coordinated manner. Ultimately, the presence of patrols against antisocial behavior and animal abuse It not only reduces infractions or punishes bad behavior, but also fosters a culture of respect and shared responsibility among all residents.
This entire network of actions, data, and examples paints a picture in which specialized patrols have become a key tool for to monitor, educate and, when necessary, punishensuring that animals receive dignified treatment and that coexistence in streets, squares, parks and farms is a little fairer for everyone, human and non-human.
