Video of 12 dogs and a deer falling off a cliff during hunt sparks outrage

Animal-rights groups and political parties have reacted with indignation over a viral video that has emerged of 12 hunting dogs falling off a cliff edge, followed by the deer they were attacking, during a hunt in Herreruela, a municipality of 350 inhabitants in the Spanish province of C¨¢ceres. The hunting sector, meanwhile, has stated that the incident was an ¡°unlucky and isolated accident.¡±

Pacma, a Spanish political party that campaigns on its support for animal rights, environmental protection and social justice, was among the organizations that has shared the video, which lasts around a minute. ¡°HORRIFIC IMAGES!¡± the group wrote in a tweet. ¡°12 dogs and a deer chased by hunters fall off a cliff amidst gunshots. Enough is enough! There is no limit to the cruelty of hunters.¡±

The Spanish Royal Hunting Federation (RFEC) has confirmed that the incident took place in Herreruela, and expressed the ¡°consternation¡± of the hunting sector for this ¡°accident¡± that had the ¡°misfortune to take place in a dangerous area.¡±

The RFEC added that ¡°immediately afterward, as you would expect, the dogs involved were treated by veterinarians on site and at veterinary clinics.¡± The association did not provide more information about the condition of the animals.

A deputy from Spanish green party Equo, Juan L¨®pez Uralde, wrote on Twitter that he could not understand how people could ¡°enjoy¡± this activity, while his party called for there to be consequences. The general secretary of left-wing anti-austerity party Podemos, Pablo Iglesias, also criticized the incident, calling those responsible for what happened ¡°criminals.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s abolish this once and for all and punish those who are guilty,¡± he added.

English version by Simon Hunter.