Target: Olivia Duque, Mayor of Teguise, Las Palmas, Spain
Goal: Secure a thorough investigation and maximum legal penalties for the individual who hurled boiling water onto a defenseless cat, leaving the animal with life-threatening burns.
A community in Costa Teguise was stunned when a cherished colony cat returned screaming in agony—its skin blistered after someone doused it with scalding liquid. According to witnesses, the animal suffered extensive burns that required emergency surgery and intensive veterinary care. The assailant attacked the cat to drive it away from a residential complex where the felines have peacefully lived for a decade.
Neighbors say only four sterilized cats remain in this long-standing colony, cared for by residents and visiting tourists alike. Despite their friendly nature, these animals have become targets of hostility. One resident claimed that an owner or tenant “decided to take justice into their own hands,” resorting to extreme cruelty instead of lawful complaint procedures. Thanks to a compassionate bystander, the injured cat received lifesaving treatment, yet the perpetrator remains unidentified and unpunished.
Spanish law classifies such abuse as a criminal offense, and the community’s homeowners’ association has vowed to pursue legal action. Swift and decisive enforcement is essential not only for this victim but also to deter future cruelty. Sign below to demand maximum sanctions for the guilty party—including fines, imprisonment, and an animal-ownership ban—and stronger protections for the remaining cats.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mayor Duque,
A recent case in Costa Teguise has left a colony cat with catastrophic burns after someone hurled boiling water onto the animal. Veterinary staff confirm the cat endured severe pain, underwent surgery, and will need prolonged treatment. Residents believe the attack stemmed from displeasure over the cats’ presence in a vacation-rental complex.
We respectfully urge the municipality to direct law-enforcement agencies to identify the suspect, gather all available evidence—including surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts—and file the harshest possible charges under Spain’s animal-welfare laws. A conviction should carry the maximum prison term, fines, and a permanent prohibition on owning animals.
Beyond prosecution, we ask that the town strengthen monitoring of the cat colony, support trap-neuter-return caretakers, and launch public-awareness campaigns condemning violence against companion animals. A clear message must be sent that such brutality will never be tolerated in Teguise.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Krysten Merriman
