ANGRY ACTIVISTS

MORE than 100 protestors gathered in Palma to slam a new law excluding hunting dogs from animal welfare legislation. They were joining protests held in 43 other Spanish cities as politicians prepared to vote on the law.

Animal rights group PACMA is furious welfare measures have been watered down to exclude animals involved in traditional hunting activities.

The PSOE-led government made changes to the bill amid fears it could cost it vital rural backing in this year’s local and national elections. Dogs are used to track or catch animals such as deer, wild boar and rabbits, with the hunting industry generating an estimated €5 billion each year. They are often mistreated and dumped or killed at the end of each hunting seasons.

FURY: Animal rights activists take to the streets