Investigations launched in Benalmádena after complaints of animals living in 'deplorable' conditions

Local Police officers and municipal authorities are investigating complaints of dozens of animals locked up in "deplorable" conditions in two areas in Benalmádena.

The locations are known as Villa Mosca and Villa Nicho: two undeveloped areas of the coastal town. The first is situated under a motorway bridge and the second is behind a cemetery.

Villa Mosca was considered a livestock area at the end of the 90s, and since then has been growing "out of control", according to animal rights political party Pacma. Members of the organisation, as well as representatives of the Benalmádena Animalist Group, complained to the town hall after discovering the "dens" for animals, which are allegedly living in "deplorable conditions".

Meanwhile in Villa Nicho, animals are living in shacks which have been increasing in numbers over the years, according to the same sources. Pacma claimed that there are "cat farms", chickens, goats, dogs and horses in a very bad state, with an absolute lack of hygiene and "dens where there is no daylight". "You can hear the animals but they are locked up and it is impossible to see them."

Following the complaint, Benalmádena Local Police started investigating the areas this week "to determine and verify the existence of animal abuse and to coordinate, if necessary, the measures to transfer them to animal protection centres", according to municipal sources.

Police ruled out animal mistreatment after their first inspection, as well as any existence of a cat breeding centre.

Another inspection is set to be carried out this week with personnel from the Junta de Andalucía. The town hall said the aim will be to find out how many animals there are, who their owners are, inspect the conditions and dismantle the dens.

Pacma said the next steps "should not be to move the animals to other places or to slaughter them" but that "the town hall should demand that the facilities be repaired and ensure that the animals are kept in optimum conditions".