Puting the record straight.

It has been passed around that I was responsible for getting rid of the animal ambulance. Not true. This was a decision made by the Government Team. Why? Put quite simply, between that and the vetinary bills, being run up by the previous Councillor, it was just too much. It has also been stated that I am resposible for awarding the contract to recover abandoned animals, to Cereco. Also not true.
Let me say that I am the Councillor for the Urbanisations. I am not the Councillor for Animals. All decisions regarding animals are put forward by the relevant Councillor and approved or disapproved by a majority vote at the Junta de Gobierno.
It is regrettable that a little dog died in the back of a Cereco van and that the owner was very distraught. But for this to be brought up again in such a manner only succeeds in opening a wound for the owner. I wonder if the author of the latest diatribe, even considered the feelings of this person? It appears to me that this is politically motivated. If that is the case then I think the author should be ashamed of themselves.
I would also like to point out that the procedure of registering your pets with the Town Hall was as far as I am aware, instigated by Councillor Lewis and we continued the process.
In case you think I am one of these people who hate animals, let me point out that I have 3 rescued cats and I am currently in the process of adopting an abandoned dog.  One of my staff have several adopted cats and several dogs. Another, who is allergic to cats has however, just adopted a dog. Not everyone wants to have a pet. But those that do, treat them with the love and affection they deserve.

Disgusting behaviour

On Sunday, I was disgusted by the behaviour of Councillor Lewis. 

While I was down in San Fulgencio Village, taking part in the Remembrance Day service, he decided to pay a visit to the area of the Dog Show. Which may I say, was attended and supported, by a large number of people.

He approached several people and distributed leaflets, which stated, that what was occurring, was a “Council Sham”. He even upset several people and brought one of them to tears with his brand of vicious vitriolic lies. He stated that all the abandoned animals on display would be collected by the Council and the Police and would be dead in six days. What a lie this was.

 All these animals were under the care of fosterers and would remain so, until permanent homes could be found for them. He also stated that none of the other animal organisations on the Urbanisation had been approached to take part in the dog show. This is also a tissue of lies. Every organisation for animals on Marina Oasis was contacted. Both K9 and SATS, gladly displayed the posters, but were unable to provide volunteers for a free stall or a selection of dogs for adoption, as Sunday, is a day that many volunteers are involved in walking and looking after the abandoned dogs and for kennel maintenance. 
Pets in Spain were contacted but declined to get involved. 
In fact, I was in the office when a representative of Pets in Spain came in and I overheard this person being informed of the Dog Show and they were offered a stall and an opportunity to bring some dogs, by one of the office staff.

While I am on about Pets in Spain, let me tell about an incident that happened over the summer. A Spanish gentleman came to our office, stating that a stray dog had wandered into his garden and he could not get it to go away. I contacted several of the animal charities on La Marina and was informed that they had no room at their kennels or fosterers available at that moment. I contacted Councillor Lewis, on the Pets in Spain number. He stated, "That is your problem not mine. I am not interested; go speak to your friends at K9". He continued by saying, "I am driving at this moment and I don’t even want to speak to you". The dog was eventually collected by the Police and removed to Cereco.

I have to ask, was this because it was me, as he obviously has a bee in his bonnet about being put out of the Council, or is it a true sign of the type of person he really is? I could go on and tell you about some of the bully boy tactics he got up to, to me and my wife, prior the formal election of the new government team. But he would only deny it. But I know what he did and so does my wife. One thing is evident; he is not my "Buddy" and never will.
As far as abandoned dogs are concerned , we do our best to contact the various animal rescue organisations, in order to rehome them. The latest was when 4 puppies were dumped in the nearby waste bins. We took them into the office and to the vets to be examined. We were able to have them taken by one of the Spanish dog rescue organisations and all four are now adopted and have gone to permanent homes.

Non residents being fined for driving a Spanish registered car

It has come to our notice that a recent visitor to Spain, was fined for driving a Spanish registered car.
We have discovered that, the Traffico of the Guardia Civil can impose a fine on owners of Spanish registered cars, if they are non resident and unable to produce documentation, stating that they are non resident.
Once the fine is imposed, the owner is unable to have the fine cancelled and must pay it.
In order to avoid this type of situation, a non resident can apply on Form EX-15 to get a certificate of non residency. To obtain this certificate the applicant can get the form from our office . It has to be taken to one of the Commisariats of Police in Elche or Alicante. The cost of the Certificate is €6.89.
For further information, contact our office at Calle Madrid no.5.

Remembrance Sunday.

Remembrance Sunday 10th November.

In collaboration with the Royal British Legion and The Catholic and Anglican Churches in San Fulgencio, The Ayuntamiento, has organised a remembrance service, to be held at, 11.30 a.m. on the Plaza de Constitucion, ( In front of the Town Hall ), San Fulgencio.
Wreaths will be laid to commemorate all those who have died as the result of conflicts and acts of terrorism.

All are welcome to attend and show their respect for the fallen.

Small minded people

I find it is quite outrageous that someone called Brian, put on a local forum that our office is engaged in nefarious activities regarding an up and coming dog show. He suggests that this is just a trap to ensnare people who have not got all the required paperwork for their dogs. First let me say that there is no trap and he is trying to undermine the event by printing such slanderous material. This Dog Show is for the public to enjoy and to show that there are Spanish animal welfare groups operating in our area. These groups are actively envolved in trying to rehome abandonned pets. They rely on donations to pay for vet bills and wherever possible, make no charge to the new owners. Unlike some others, who appear to run animal protection associations, as a business.
Secondly, I will say that it is still necessary,for reasons of public health and safety, to ensure your dogs are registered with the Town Hall. But neither we nor the local Police will be going around and demanding to see any documentation from the owners who put their dogs into the show.
I have since discovered that the Brian in question, is a friend of Mark Lewis, who is heavily involved in Pets in Spain.
I would like to diversify a little. Pauline Prior and several other have applied to register The Food for the needy of San Fulgencio as a proper charity, so that they can run events on their own, without having to rely on the kindness of local bars etc. to collect funds to buy food. Also contrary to rumour, I will not be taking on the role as President of the new Association, as I feel it would be wrong for a Councillor to do so as it could be seen as a conflict of interests.