A mayor’s pet dog has been poisoned to death in what he believes was revenge for cancelling his town’s annual bull run.
Juan Salvador Domínguez Ortega announced the event could not go ahead because regional authorities refused to grant the necessary permits.
Officials said the Junta of Andalusia denied authorisation due to a missing document – despite the town insisting it had been correctly submitted.
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A spokesperson said: “This year’s traditional release of young bulls cannot take place, even though everything has been prepared and is in order for the celebration.
“The Delegation of the Junta of Andalusia has denied the permits, citing the absence of a document that, according to our records, was correctly submitted.
“We want to express our deep disappointment at this situation, which is entirely beyond our control, as we know how much excitement and local tradition this event generates.
“Holding the event without authorisation would be reckless and is simply not possible.”
Days later, on 26 August, Domínguez – , mayor of Paterna del Campo in south-western Spain – was horrified to discover his beloved German shepherd poisoned at his in-laws’ home in La Viguera.
Posting before-and-after photos of the dog, he said: “How far are you going to take this?
“When things get this polarised, horrors like this happen. Today I found my dog poisoned at my in-laws’ house in La Viguera.
“Who could be so cruel and cowardly to do something like this? You’re sick.”
The mayor, a member of the centre-left PSOE, said he found his pet foaming and bleeding from the mouth, as reported by Need To Know.
He told local media he believes the attack was linked to the bull run’s cancellation, adding: “It’s been portrayed as if this administration wants to get rid of the bull run, which has sparked an unusually vicious backlash against me on social media, even though we never intended to cancel anything.”
The mayor of nearby Hinojos, Miguel Ángel Curiel, backed him, saying: “Poisoning a dog, attacking a home, or spreading fear can never be part of the public life of someone who works around the clock for their town.
“Politics is about debate, disagreement, and dialogue – but never violence or cruelty. To anyone who acts this way, we must say loud and clear: this is not the way.
“You’re not just harming a family and an innocent animal – you’re attacking the very fabric of the entire community.”
Paterna del Campo, which has around 3,400 residents, remains in shock as the investigation continues.
Despite a 40 per cent drop in bullfighting events across Spain, bull runs and other traditional festivities remain hugely popular, with more than 15,000 held each year, according to a 2022 report.
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