Barcelona.- On 23 February, the documentary "Article 337" produced by Pandora Box and commissioned by NGO ADDA was presented at the Centre for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona, ??CCCB. After the screening, a round table was held in which the speakers discussed the recent amendment of Article 337 of the Penal Code, which deals with animal abuse and of which the text reads "Who by any means or process causes unreasonable abuse to a pet or tamed animal, causing death or injury which severely damages its health, shall be punished with imprisonment for a period of between three months and one year and disqualification for between one to three years from the exercise of any profession, trade or business that is related to animals."

The most important alteration is that the term "cruelty” has been deleted. Formerly, if cruelty was not proved, the action did not constitute a crime. This represents progress. However the current text did not incorporate other important demands of the animal defenders, that is: increased and more severe penalties (which can currently be suspended or replaced by the judge) and deletion of the term "unreasonable."

The aim of NGO ADDA is for the film to be shown in the Spanish House of Representatives to ensure that the MPs are aware of the need to amend this article in order to ensure that animal abuses and archaic and cruel customs carry the penalty of sentences that are truly dissuasive.

The Documentary "Article 337" impacts on the plight of the drastic situation of hunting greyhounds – galgos - in some regions of Spain. It includes the testimony of the association, Galgos sin Fronteras (Greyhounds Without Borders), which is dedicated to rescuing galgos abandoned by hunters. It is deplorable that, because of lobbying by hunters and “galgueros, Spain is the only country in Europe which still allows the practice of hunting with these dogs.

The Documentary also outlines some proposals aimed at boosting the level of awareness such as the Animaladda Fair and the current educational campaign of NGO ADDA "Quiérenos and Cuídanos." (Love us and take care of us) which is aimed specifically at children.