According to the Justice Statistics portal, managed by the Directorate-General for Justice Policy, between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2024, 1,706 men and 1,308 women were identified, mostly by PSP and GNR, on suspicion of abandoning pets.

In 2015, 205 people were identified, the lowest number of the decade, and last year, 320.

The peak occurred in 2022, with 364 identifications.

According to the same source, police recorded 6,711 pet abandonment crimes in the same decade.

The lowest annual number was in 2015, with 472 cases, and the highest in 2019, with 801.

Last year, 652 crimes were recorded.

In 2025, the GNR (National Republican Guard) recorded 214 pet abandonment crimes as of July 31, while the PSP (Public Security Police) recorded 117 crimes as of June 30, the two security forces reported in a response to Lusa.

Most abandoned animals are dogs and cats, with summer being one of the most critical times of the year.

"Typically, the highest number of pet abandonments occurs during the main holiday period, namely summer," the GNR states.

Recalling that "adopting a pet always entails responsibilities," the security force calls for "responsible behaviour" even on vacation.

"There are [...] alternatives with the necessary conditions for animals to be properly cared for, if they cannot be transported to vacation spots, and the solution will never involve abandoning a pet," emphasises the GNR.

The same appeal is made by the PSP, which asks all citizens to "respect the 'rights of animals.'"

According to the Penal Code, the crime of abandoning a pet is punishable by up to six months in prison or a fine of up to 60 days.