Document type: article published in L’Indépendant
Author: Léna Baurance
Preview: The Mossos d’Esquadra are warning of a rise in Catalonia in the trafficking of dogs that have been imported from Eastern Europe. Selling for up to 2,000 euros, these animals often endure deplorable transport conditions, leading to illness and death. The AP-7 is a key route for this lucrative trade.
The Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police) are facing a surge in animal trafficking. According to the authorities, increasing numbers of dogs are being brought into Catalonia, especially highly sought-after breeds such as Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers. Most come from Eastern Europe, where they are bought at very low cost before being sold on at much higher prices. Dogs bought for 100 euros are resold for up to 2,000 euros. The AP-7, which connects Catalonia to the French border, is reportedly one of the main routes used by these trafficking networks. Traffickers buy animals for about 100 euros in Eastern European countries and resell them to middlemen for around 500 euros, who then sell them to their final owners for thousands of euros.
But behind this highly profitable illicit trade there lies a more serious problem, involving often appalling transport conditions with no veterinary inspections. Some dogs are ill on arrival, or have serious health problems. Some even die on the journey. Toni Martín, Head of the Mossos’ Regional Environmental Unit in Girona, explains that, despite the losses, the trafficking continues because it is highly profitable.
Illnesses That Emerge After Purchase
The problem is that some buyers believe they are buying a healthy dog. However, illnesses can emerge just a few days after the dog arrives in its new home. Some animals die, while others face serious health problems. According to the Mossos, for as long as this trade remains so profitable, criminal networks will continue to bring such dogs in under dangerous conditions.
During the summer holidays, many French people decide to abandon their pets. In 2025, the GRALL Association estimates that approximately 60,000 animals were abandoned in France, the equivalent of an animal abandoned every two minutes between May and August. Given this situation, it’s essential for prospective owners to thoroughly research the needs of their future companions, anticipate the costs associated with caring for them, and put vacation arrangements in place, entertaining no thoughts of abandonment as a possibility. In France, abandoning an animal is a crime punishable by a fine of 45,000 euros and up to three years in prison. Adopting an animal from a shelter is a responsible and compassionate alternative that gives an animal in need a second chance.
