Overview

• A Guardia Urbana officer fatally shot a stray dog on the A-7 highway Sunday morning after it repeatedly posed a danger to motorists, according to Tarragona authorities.
• Police attempted five times to capture the dog, which displayed erratic behavior and reportedly tried to bite an officer before escaping each time.
• The decision to use lethal force was made under law 16/1991, which allows local police to act when public safety is at grave risk, and an internal review of the firearm use has been initiated.
• Animal rights group Faada condemned the action as extreme and announced potential legal steps, while political groups Comú Podem and ICAT have called for specialized non-lethal intervention protocols.
• The incident has highlighted the lack of dedicated animal capture units in Tarragona and reignited broader discussions in Catalonia on balancing public safety and animal welfare in emergency situations.