Dogs tied up in basement rescued from Jacarilla house fire

Animals still fighting for their lives and owners may have broken the law

INCENDIO DE VIVIENDA EN JACARILLA. El fuego comenzaba ayer en el sótano de un chalet. Cuando llegaron #bomberosorihuela al lugar se encontraron dos perros que estaban atados. Finalmente han podido sacarlos con vida pero las próximas 72h son críticas para su supervivencia #cpba pic.twitter.com/GYfZOsnSGQ

— Consorcio Provincial Bomberos Alicante (@BomberosDipuALC) August 31, 2025

When firefighters came from Orihuela to tackle a blaze that had started in the basement of a house in Jacarilla on Saturday, they found two dogs tied up down there.

They managed to get both dogs out of the building alive, and gave them oxygen and water.

The animals are currently at a veterinary clinic in a critical condition.

An Alicante provincial fire service spokesperson said on Sunday afternoon that the next 72 hours are crucial to determine whether they will survive.

As well as the dogs, there were also vehicles and other belongings in the basement.

What does Spain's animal welfare law say?

The recent national law for animal welfare prohibits keeping a dog “permanently” tied up in a basement, which is considered to be a serious offence and can be punishable with considerable fines.

This law (Ley 7/2023) specifies that animals can be put in basements or garages, or on terraces or balconies, but only for a short while - for example while the owner is cleaning - or if it can enter and leave when it wants, and as long as it has ventilation, light and decent conditions.

These sorts of places cannot be used as a dog’s habitual living space and they certainly cannot be tied up there.

Keeping an animal tied up in a space like a basement in inadequate conditions is considered a serious offence punishable with a fine of between €10,001 and €50,000.

In severe cases (if the animal suffers serious harm, malnutrition or dies), it could be classified as very serious and therefore result in much higher penalties, including a fine of €50,001-200,000 and the animal being seized.

Images: Consorcio Provincial Bomberos Alicante

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