Animals in Spanish town given same rights as humans

A Spanish town has become the first in the world to give animals the same rights as humans.

In Trigueros del Valle, a town in northern Spain with a population of just 300, politicians voted overwhelmingly to award cats and dogs the same rights enjoyed by humans.

The town council voted to define the beloved pets as “non-human residents”, which gives them similar rights to its human citizens.

Pedro Pérez Espinosa, the town’s Socialist mayor, said: “Dogs and cats have been living among us for more than 1,000 years.

“And the mayor must represent not just the human residents but must also be here for the others.”

Spain is not known for its animal rights record, as the nation still allows the controversial sport of bull fighting.

There are hopes that the monumental ruling could lead to an end to bullfighting, which has been banned in certain regions, but is still popular in areas including Madrid and Seville.

Bullfighting will not be allowed in Trigueros del Valle, which now forbids “any action that causes the mutilation or death of a non-human resident”.

The ruling has been welcomed by animal rights groups worldwide.

PETA UK Director, Mimi Bekhechi, said: “Trigueros del Valle's legislation marks an important milestone and shows that times are changing for human understanding of who, not what, animals are.

“PETA are pleased that Trigueros del Valle has advanced the cause of respect for others, and we hope the influence of this legislation will spread. One day, we will look on our treatment of these animals with shame, as many of us already do.”