The owners of the 27 hunting dogs that died on a six-hour ferry journey from Barcelona to Palma on November 1 are preparing a class action lawsuit against the animal transport company, WeTravelHome. The owners hold the company responsible for negligence.
Their lawyer, Tania Siquier, says: "This is a very difficult case, and we want to be prudent and methodical. The hunters are still deeply affected. We await the conclusion of the Seprona (Guardia Civil) investigation so we can continue with the preliminary proceedings."
The owners have the support of the Balearic Hunting Federation, which is prepared to be a private prosecutor in the case. An investigating court has been assigned in Palma. Once it receives the investigators' reports and the results of necropsies, it will summon those involved for questioning.
Siquier explains: "Based on animal protection law, it will be necessary to assess whether negligence occurred and, if so, what sort. This could lead to a finding of intent, meaning that even if the killing wasn't intentional, there may have been actions that, knowing they could harm the animals, were carried out anyway. These dogs were domestic; they were pets, much loved by their owners, even though they were used for hunting. Most lived with their owners as another member of the family."
Necropsies on seven of the dogs have yet to be performed. The dogs' bodies are in a freezer at the Natura Parc Foundation. The Guardia Civil say that once all information is available (this includes documentation from Barcelona), the forensic examinations will be carried out. Initial analyses pointed to asphyxiation.