The driver, a 60-year-old man, was arrested for alleged forgery of public, official, or commercial documents. Officers from the Regional Environmental Unit (URMA) carried out the intervention during a joint operation with the Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition.

During the inspection of the refrigerated van, officers located 14 puppies of various breeds, including Cavapoo, Cavalier, Maltipoo, and Teckel. Documentation indicated that 10 of the dogs were destined for a zoological center in Huesca, while the other four were supposedly headed to a center in Baix Empordà.

The Mossos confirmed that the zoological center in Baix Empordà had ceased operations in September 2024. The arrested individual was fraudulently using the details of this inactive company for the entry of the animals, valued at over 8,000 euros according to the seized invoices.

Authorized veterinarians examined the puppies and determined they were only 10 weeks old, below the 15-week legal minimum required for import. Furthermore, they did not meet the necessary sanitary guarantees, particularly regarding the effectiveness of the rabies vaccine.

The animals were preventively immobilized and transferred to a shelter for quarantine. The detainee was brought before the Girona Duty Court the following day, while officers processed the corresponding administrative complaints under Law 7/2023 on animal protection.