en 
In a statement, the National Republican Guard (GNR) says that following an investigation that has been ongoing for two years, 18 searches were carried out, 3 at homes and 15 at veterinary clinics, in these districts.
As part of the operation, nine suspects aged between 30 and 60 were arrested, in addition to three legal entities, and physical and digital documentation related to the crimes, €5,111.20 in cash and various computer equipment were seized.
At issue are several crimes related to the process of exporting animals abroad, document forgery and computer fraud.
“It was possible to determine that the suspects were dedicated to the collection, treatment and export of animals abroad,” says the note.
The GNR reminds that the crime of mistreating animals is punishable by a prison sentence of up to six months to two years.
English
Nederlands
Deutsch
Français
Español
Italiano
Svenska
Pусский
Română
中文
Türkçe
हिन्दी
Português
Українська
اردو
Polski
عربي
Suomi
עִברִית
Afrikaans
Português (Brasil)
Portugal won’t make any substantial efforts to help stray animals but god forbid these animals are transported out of the country where they might have a chance at a better life. Typical.
By Nicole from Algarve on 03 May 2025, 09:19
There is a culture clash between the local population and foreign animal rescue devotees.
Many Portuguese believe it's perfectly acceptable to keep a dog in a cage or on a short line outside, or even to let them wander around free. And I know some of them.
The rescue people think it's perfectly acceptable to steal those dogs, sterilize them, and export them for sale in northern Europe (where they will probably be kept in a cage in a nice apartment).
And I know some of them.
Of course there are stray and abandoned animals too. But I have seen that as the rescue people run out of genuinely distressed animals to save, they have started to expand into self-justified outright theft.
Rescue organizations pay per dog; for sterilization, vaccination, paperwork, and transport. Most of the rescue workers are volunteer, but the veterinarians have to be paid.
Transport vehicles are loaded with animals at 2AM and depart at 3AM, presumably to avoid road checks.
By mark Holden from Algarve on 03 May 2025, 12:49