WARNING: Some may find the pictures included in this story disturbing

AN ELLESMERE-based dog charity hopes to find forever homes for animals rescued from horrific cruelty in Spain.

An estimated 100,000 Galgo dogs are killed in Spain every year at the end of the hunting season.

Hector’s Greyhound Rescue has set up an online appeal to raise £7,000 to bring dogs from the Malaga area to the UK, as well as for treatment costs.

Founder Hayley Bradley said the charity answered a plea for help from a Spanish greyhound refuge.

She said that it was common knowledge there that dogs are killed or abandoned when the season is over.

A large number of dogs die from malnutrition, the charity boss added.

Ms Bradley and trustee Sian Griffiths visited the area and saw “virtually skeletal” dogs ridden with ticks and fleas.

Some of the dogs had been retrieved from a ‘killing stations’, where the hapless creatures are handed in by hunters.

They rescued 13 Galgos from the station, with the help of another group and took another six from a refuge.

The dogs are currently at boarding kennels in Spain.

“We’ve certainly made a differed to those dogs’ lives, that’s for sure,” Ms Bradley said.

The online appeal has raised more than £3,600 so far

To support the appeal, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/hectors-galgo-appeal