Alleged crimes involve fraud and “process of exportation”
Suggesting animals have suffered at the hands of a group of people involved in the exportation of Portuguese dogs from various districts, the GNR has today cited nine people as ‘official suspects’, along with three collective entities.
Media outlets report that this is an investigation that has been ongoing for the last two years, and involves a group that operated in the districts of Braga, Vila Real, Guarda, Santarém, Lisbon and Setúbal.
In the frame are “suspicions of various crimes related to the process of exporting dogs abroad”.
It is not immediately clear that the animals exported will have suffered, but the GNR’s statement “reminds that the crime of mistreatment of domestic animals is criminally punishable with a prison term of six months to two years” – thus the inference is that they did.
There is also nothing mentioned of the destination of these dogs – nor the quantity of animals that will have been involved.
Reports this far have simply given the basics: that the GNR police have moved in on the group that they have been investigating for the last two years, citing “various crimes related to the process of exportation”.
In a statement, the GNR says that: “It was verified that the suspects dedicated themselves to the collection, treatment and export of pets abroad. Following the investigation, several police raids were launched, culminating in 18 searches, three at home and 15 at veterinary clinics, in the aforementioned districts.”
During the operation, which took place on April 24 but was only published today, agents seized a large volume of physical and digital documentation related to the crimes under investigation, more than €5,000 in cash, as well as various pieces of computer equipment.
Lusa adds that the nine people cited this far are aged between 30 and 60.
Today’s statement concludes that the SOS Environment and Territory department of the GNR’s Nature and Environment Protection Service (SEPNA), through which this operation was carried out, “receives reports of mistreatment, abandonment and other offences related to pets and can be called on 808 200 520”. ND
