Animal cruelty convictions rise to 283 in Spain

Spain recorded 283 convictions for animal cruelty in 2025, even as the number of new court cases fell. The State Prosecutor’s Office opened 1,232 judicial proceedings over the mistreatment of domestic animals, its annual report shows. The figures were presented in Madrid on 12 September at the opening of the 2026/2027 judicial year.

The court-case total was down 18.6% from 1,515 in 2024. But prosecutors launched 366 investigations, up 19.2% on the previous year’s 307, while convictions rose 8% from 262.

Fewer charges and acquittals

Prosecutors filed 313 charging documents in animal-cruelty cases, down from 353 a year earlier. Courts issued 58 acquittals, compared with 62 in 2024.

Animal cruelty was the largest category among the 4,707 judicial proceedings opened in 2025 across environmental, planning, heritage, wildlife, forest-fire and animal-cruelty offences. Planning and land-use cases came next with 1,072 proceedings.

Illegal buildings also under scrutiny

The report records 82 demolitions of illegal buildings in 2025, including voluntary and enforced demolitions. Prosecutors say stronger oversight is essential to ensure demolition orders are carried out, while warning that the real total may be higher because not every report gives a figure.

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Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com