A 51-year-old local from Guadix has been charged with malos tratos de animales (mistreatment of animals) after shooting a cat. The incident occurred during the day, in the middle of the street.

As a result, the Guardia Civil have annulled his firearms licence and confiscated his shotgun.

Things have certainly changed because before 2010, killing a pet was not a chargeable offence unless it could be proved that it was done with premeditated cruelty… but it is now, as the ‘cruelty’ requirement has been dropped.

If found guilty, the man faces between three months and a year’s imprisonment, as well as being barred for a further three years from working in any profession related to animals.

(News: Guadix, Altiplano, Granada, Andalucia)