I Photographed Abandoned Hunting Dogs In Spain And I Tell Their Story Through My Photos (35 Pics)

The Spanish greyhound, or Galgo, is one of the most persecuted breeds, but very few people have ever heard of this rare dog breed. Galgos are used as Hunting Dogs to catch hares in the Spanish countryside. They spend their lives in damp, tiny, dirty holes or windowless shacks deprived of daylight, exercise, and affection. Between 50.000 and 100.000 Galgos are killed or abandoned every year after the hunting season when they no longer live up to their owners' expectations. The breeders, the so-called galgueros, breed hoping to end up with the best hunting dog to compete and hunt the hare, but overbreeding leads to the “throwing out” of thousands and thousands of Galgos every year.

Leena became a part of our family on October 21, 2012, and she was an absolute blessing and angel to have in our family. After adopting Leena, we learned more about this dog breed and the life of the Hunting Dogs in Spain and knew we needed to do more about animal cruelty. On June 23, 2013, we started an Adoption group for Galgos called Love Hope Believe Galgo Adoption. We had never been to Spain, did not know anyone in Spain and could not speak Spanish but we were determined to help find these beautiful dogs their forever homes.

We transported our first group of Galgos on July 15, 2013, as with any adoption group we needed to highlight our adoptable dogs with adoptable photos. This usually is an issue faced by most shelters and adoption groups - iPhone photos or blurry photos. In August 2014, I purchased my first camera and started to learn photography, so I could help our adoptable Galgos find their homes quicker. As I learned more about photography, I learned how a dog picture could tell a story that has no language barrier. During a trip to Spain to volunteer at a shelter in 2014, I took a photo of a Galgo who was recently dropped off at a perrera (dog pound) and she was very fearful. I captured a photo of her that made me feel the fear she was feeling and realized that I could possibly tell the story of The Hunting Dogs of Spain through Photography.

One of my main influences is Tim Flach. His portraits and how they foster an emotional connection to raise awareness for the animals. 

Chris Knight is another big influence with his dramatic portraits of people and his storytelling in a single image either through the model's expression or conceptual portraits.

I have been trying to meld these styles into my portraits to help raise awareness and envoke empathy for these dogs.

My wife and I adopted our first Galgo in October of 2012. A week before adopting her, I was going through a very dark depression, and came very close to hanging myself in my garage. After adopting this very scared Galgo, who we named Leena, we were told she was rescued right before her owner was going to hang her, as she was no longer wanted. The irony was not lost on me.

We spent weeks working with her to help her to learn to trust people again. We focused all of our attention on her, which allowed me to forget about my depression. She saved my life. Leena passed away from cancer after 3 short years with us, but the impact she had on our lives was profound. I took up photography in 2014 to try and tell Leena’s story, and the story of the hunting dogs of Spain. I’m trying to repay Leena for saving my life and share her story with everyone I can.

I love doing studio photos, but most importantly of the dogs my wife and I have fostered. When the dog has become very comfortable around me, it allows me to truly capture their personality and quirkiness. I try to show people how I see them through my eyes.

I would love to be able to capture a full series of photos of a dog from rescue in Spain through rehabilitation, traveling to their new home, and a year after they have been home to show the absolute amazing transformation of these dogs , most of whom have been severely abused and tortured, to a happy, loving dog with their family.

I'd love to make people aware of the plight of the hunting dogs of Spain. The more people are aware of it and possibly share their story, the more pressure we can put on Spain to change the laws to help protect these dogs.