Shocking photos have emerged showing the sickening abuse suffered by two dogs that were starved and thrown from a moving van in central Spain.
The dogs – which are so thin that their bones are visible through their skin – were found near a university in the city of Ciudad Real, in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, and are being cared for by an animal protection organisation.
Police have launched an investigation to identify the people who abused the dogs, which were emaciated and missing chunks of their fur, over several weeks at least.
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The two dogs were starved and exposed to very little light before they were thrown from a moving van
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An animal protection organisation in the city of Ciudad Real, Spain, is caring for the emaciated dogs
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The dogs are missing chunks of their fur and are so thin that their bones are visible through their skin
Protectora La Bienvenida Ciudad Real, the agency that is caring for the dogs in the city 125 miles south of Madrid, has named them Raiz (Root) and Tierra (Earth).
It said they were found near the Ciudad Real University after they were thrown from a van, and it is believed they were exposed to very little light, which is why their skin colour is so pink.
Carmen Diaz, a volunteer for the organisation, said: ‘They were completely abandoned without food or water. This state is not reached in a matter of weeks or months.’
Having worked for the organisation for over 35 years, she also said she had ‘never seen animals arrive at the centre in such a poor condition.
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A volunteer for the animal protection agency said the dogs were likely abused for weeks or months
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The agency that is caring for the dogs in in Ciudad Real has renamed them Raiz (Root) and Tierra (Earth)
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A volunteer worker said she had ‘never seen animals arrive at the centre in such a poor condition’
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Police have launched an investigation and issued an appeal for information to identify the dogs’ abusers
The animals were taken to the shelter by locals who saw them being thrown from the van by at least a couple of people, according to reports, but the van’s number plates had been removed, making it difficult for police to identify the suspects.
The witnesses also said they saw more dogs in the back of the van, but they did not know what had happened to them.
The Civil Guard posted a tweet appealing for people to come forward if they have information that could help their investigation and lead to an arrest.
Photos of the dogs were shared on social media, leading to outrage from the animal protection agency’s followers.
One user wrote: ‘The people who know something and who do nothing are just as much cowards and criminals.
‘I do not believe that nobody in that area knows who the suspects are and could not give clues.’