Controversy Surrounds Animal Protection Project in Tenerife
The Tierra Azul project, proposed by the Cabildo de Tenerife as part of the future Animal Protection Network, has sparked significant local discontent in Valle de Guerra. Residents near the Presas del Campo estate claim the project has been developed without adequate information and genuine community involvement, despite its anticipated direct impact on their surroundings.
Local opposition does not stem from a resistance to animal welfare policies, but rather from concerns about the project’s proposed location and scale. Residents assert that the initiative has been presented as a strategic plan for the island without prior explanation of its effects on those living in proximity to the site.
Under the slogan “Animal welfare, community welfare. No to the mega kennel,” residents express their support for animal protection but reject the idea of such a facility being located near homes in a rural area already facing several disruptive infrastructures.
The proposed centre would occupy around 27,000 square metres of a 133,000-square-metre estate, housing over 680 dogs and 400 cats. Locals argue that these figures elevate Tierra Azul to a large-scale facility far removed from a smaller, low-impact project.
Concerns include the proximity of the facility, with homes located just 100 to 190 metres away, prompting fears of constant barking, unpleasant odours, increased traffic, and a deterioration in quality of life. Carlos Manuel Abreu, a local spokesperson, noted that many affected residents learned about the project details through media rather than direct communication from the authorities.
Residents feel the decision on the project’s location was almost finalised before they were informed, insisting that community engagement should occur before a project is nearly complete, not just informed with general updates afterwards.
The anxiety extends beyond the animal centre, as locals highlight the accumulation of disruptive infrastructures in the area, including a waste treatment site for termite issues and a sewage pumping station. Abreu lamented that unwanted developments are being concentrated in their community.
The local sentiment culminated in a presentation to the La Laguna council on May 14, where Abreu appeared with over a hundred signatures demanding that the Cabildo not proceed without genuine dialogue with residents.
The community is also mobilising, holding gatherings and starting petitions against the project, demanding a halt to all processes until an open meeting is arranged with local residents.
Residents are calling on the Cabildo to fulfil its commitment to providing detailed project information, including dimensions, acoustic impact, waste management, access, and corrective measures. They stress that animal welfare initiatives should not overlook the well-being of the local community.
“This isn’t just about protecting animals; it’s about respecting the community,” the residents concluded, urging for the Tierra Azul project to be reconsidered with proper public participation and sufficient assurances for local inhabitants.
