In 1800, in the coastal village of San Andrés Igueste on Tenerife, a man named Ángel García was born, who would be remembered through the notorious moniker Dog Head. This nickname not only reflected his fierce nature but also his distinctive physical attributes: a stocky build, flattened nose, small eyes, and a large head that he invariably attempted to conceal. Recently, content creator (@Specialsixyt) shared the tale of this figure on his social media platforms.
From a young age, Ángel was raised in a hostile and violent environment, shaping his surly and merciless demeanour. Upon acquiring his own vessel, The Invincible, he threw himself into piracy with little mercy. For years, he plundered, torched, and sunk ships, showing no concern for whether his victims were men, women, or children. However, he refrained from attacking vessels within the waters of his home island.
Yet, a tragedy shifted the course of his life. After one particularly brutal raid, as his ship departed from the wreckage, he heard the cries of a girl seeking help amidst the waves. That poignant sound etched itself into his mind, and from that moment, the once pitiless pirate began to lose his appetite for brutality.
Ángel García, known as Dog Head, was one of the most feared pirates of the Atlantic. / The province
The Return to Tenerife and His Tragic Demise
With piracy on the wane and his body suffering from rheumatism, Dog Head chose to retire. He purchased a return ticket to Tenerife and, after a protracted journey from Havana, arrived in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. His grotesque appearance caught the eye of passers-by, who mocked him. However, it was the local children who, recognising him, pelted him with stones and kicked him until he fell unconscious to the ground.
The faithful of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, an area known for paranormal occurrences. / The province
It was then that justice eventually caught up with him. His knife, featuring a dog-shaped handle, gave away his identity. In prison, he spent his time constructing a miniature model of a ship, claiming it was for “a girl who cries for me inside.”
After a lengthy trial, he was sentenced to death. On the day of his execution, he requested only one Good Habano and that his small ship be presented to the Virgen del Carmen in his hometown. His tale seemed to end there, but his legend was merely beginning.
A Betrayed Pact and a Cursed Treasure
Prior to his capture, the lead of the Spanish secret services, Valeriano Weyler, contacted the pirate in an effort to reclaim his immense treasure hidden in the Caribbean. The discussions took place on The Island of Culebra, but when Dog Head returned to Tenerife, he was betrayed and executed.
The pirate’s treasure, undoubtedly, was never recovered. Weyler attempted to seize it, but with every endeavour, he mysteriously fell ill or encountered serious accidents. It was said that the pirate’s curse followed him. Ultimately, fearful of the strange events that plagued him, Weyler departed the island and never sought to recover the loot again.
Legend has it that on the darkest nights, whispers of a pirate who never found peace can still be heard in the loyal. / The province
THE FIELATO: The Enchanted House of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Years later, in the 20th century, the site where the pirate’s treasure was said to be concealed became known as Fielato, a structure for tax collection in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Shortly thereafter, paranormal phenomena began to unfold:
- Lights that floated in the dark
- Doors that opened and closed unaided
- Shadows that roamed the rooms
- Unintelligible and resonating voices
The faithful and tram workers passing through the area experienced chills and avoided lingering there. For decades, a rumour circulated that the ghost of Dog Head guarded his treasure and that his spirit roamed the building.
Inexplicable and Supernatural Events
In 1978, the Movement for Self-Determination and Independence of the Canary Islands (MPAIAC) attempted to set off a bomb at the headquarters of the Initiative and Tourism Centre (CIT), which was located in the former Fielato. Strangely, the attack was unsuccessful.
Upon entering the building, the members of the command were seized by an irrational fear, retreating without detonating the device within. Moments later, the bomb exploded, causing damage to the building but resulting in no fatalities… or perhaps the pirate’s spirit intervened to safeguard his home?
The Mystery Continues in the 21st Century
Currently, Fielato is a building protected as a historical site, yet paranormal phenomena persist.
- Cleaning staff resign after only a few weeks
- Items vanish inexplicably
- Pictures fall without reason
- Shadows lurk in the darkness
In the 1990s, a Jewish secret society conducted investigations with psychophonies in the building. They recorded voices, movements of objects, and even levitation of furniture. The consensus was clear: The spirit of Dog Head still inhabits the place.
Even in the 21st century, following the establishment of a radio station in Fielato, mysterious voices have been captured during broadcasts. On multiple occasions, a male voice has responded to queries, repeating phrases linked to the pirate and his history.
From Cuba to Australia, broadcasts have been documented where his voice appears to weave into the signal. Is Dog Head still seeking redemption or guarding his cursed treasure?
The most feared pirate of Tenerife met his end on the gallows, yet his spirit seems to be trapped within Fielato. Mysteries, betrayals, curses, and paranormal occurrences envelop his legend, rendering Dog Head an indelible figure in the narrative and folklore of the Canary Islands.
