Aggressive dogs in Orihuela: neighbour conflict reveals a serious safety issue

In a residential complex in Orihuela, a conflict has erupted between neighbours due to aggressive dogs. The situation gained wide attention following a report by Cuatro on its program En boca de todos.

According to the affected residents, this is not an isolated case but a series of repeated incidents. Locals claim that the dogs behave aggressively, while the owners do not always comply with control measures.

Leash and control: where the violation begins

In Spain, a dog in a public place must be under the control of its owner and, as a rule, on a leash.

Walking a dog without a leash is already considered a violation, but the situation becomes significantly more serious if an attack occurs.

If a dog off-leash bites a person, the owner bears full responsibility — including potential criminal liability.

When criminal liability applies

Spanish judicial practice includes real cases where owners have been held criminally liable.

For example, in a suburb of Barcelona, a dog that was off-leash inflicted serious injuries on a passerby. The court established that the owner had ignored previous complaints.

As a result:

• a fine was imposed• compensation was paid• restrictions were introduced on keeping the animal

Regulation in Torrevieja and the province of Alicante

The rules apply not only in Orihuela, but also in Torrevieja, as well as throughout the province of Alicante.

Main requirements:

• leash in public places• cleaning up after the dog• mandatory microchip• registration• for dangerous breeds — muzzle, license and insurance

Documents and owner obligations

Every dog must have:

• microchip• veterinary passport• vaccinations• municipal registration

Why the problem is growing

Reasons:

• increase in the number of pets• high-density housing• different standards of owner responsibility

Conclusion

The case in Orihuela is not an isolated conflict, but part of a broader systemic issue affecting the entire coastal region.

The balance between the rights of pet owners and the safety of residents is becoming a key challenge for cities in the region.

=================================

Need legal assistance? All the lawyers in the region — in one place.Quickly find the right specialist.👉 https://www.torreviejactual.com/en/abogados