Why UK campaigners are protesting Spain’s hunting dog practicesAt the heart of the protests is opposition to Spain’s hunting industry, where dogs are bred and trained for seasonal hunting and, according to campaigners, frequently abandoned, abused or killed once they are no longer considered useful. While Spain has animal welfare legislation, critics argue that hunting dogs are often excluded from the same protections afforded to domestic pets. Campaigners also point to the scale of the practice, with tens of thousands of hunting dogs believed to be affected each year. Campaigners want to see meaningful pressure placed on Spanish authorities to close legal loopholes, enforce existing laws and bring hunting dogs under the same welfare standards as other animals. A growing international animal welfare movementThe UK protests form part of a wider international movement that has seen demonstrations, petitions and online campaigns across Europe and beyond.