A court in Torrevieja has ordered the immediate deportation of a man who brutally beat his ex-partner’s cat to death in the street in a case that sparked widespread outrage across Spain.
The attack happened in the San Roque neighbourhood of Torrevieja at the end of April and quickly went viral after disturbing footage circulated online.
The man, originally from Cali in Colombia, repeatedly struck the cat – named Nala – more than 20 times on the head with a broom handle before continuing to kick the animal as it lay lifeless on the pavement.
He was arrested by Local Police and later accused of aggravated animal abuse as well as gender violence under Spain’s laws covering so-called ‘vicarious violence’ – where harm is inflicted on pets or loved ones to emotionally punish a partner or ex-partner.
Following a fast-track hearing at the Court for Violence Against Women, the defendant appeared before a criminal court in Torrevieja on Wednesday.
The man, who was living in Spain without regularised residency status and was reportedly attempting to legalise his situation through social integration procedures, ultimately agreed to deportation in exchange for avoiding a potential prison sentence.
Under the ruling, he will be expelled from Spain immediately and banned from returning for at least five years.
Because of his criminal record, he will also be unable to regularise his status or enter other European Union countries during that time.
Before deportation, he will first be transferred to an immigration detention centre.
Animal rights groups hailed the decision as ‘historic’ and ‘without precedent’.
Mari Carmen Luque, lawyer for the Asociacion Leal animal protection group, said: ‘People always thought nothing would happen for killing an animal. But justice has been done.’
She added: ‘Whoever harms animals in Spain will face criminal consequences – whether they are Spanish or not.’
Outside the courthouse, dozens of animal rights activists gathered awaiting the verdict, with many celebrating emotionally after the ruling was announced.
Police and Guardia Civil officers maintained a security cordon around the building during the hearing.
The case had already triggered large protests in Torrevieja earlier this month, where hundreds gathered demanding ‘Justice for Nala’.
Demonstrators described the killing as a clear act of revenge against the suspect’s former partner.
