Costa Blanca
The work of ONCE guide dogs is explained to the people of Benidorm

The public was shown how these animals are utilised to become essential components of blind people’s safety and autonomy during an exhibition hosted by the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation (FOPG) in Benidorm yesterday, Thursday 27th March.
Under the theme “Much more than a dog,” the nearly 1,000 participants, who came from various Benidorm educational institutions and the general public, watched as these animals performed a variety of obedience and focus exercises alongside mobility instructors Rafael Almansa and Eloy Aranda. They were accompanied by Tibor, a black Labrador, and Dior, a sable-coloured German Shepherd.
Guide dog users from Alicante, MarÃa Luz Menéndez and Moisés Moreno, described their everyday lives with ORI and ODRI, respectively, and both demonstrated on a circuit how the training process works so that the dogs can overcome obstacles, go up or down stairs, cross zebra crossings, look for doors, or stay in a cafe or in any kind of transportation at the feet of a blind person.
Antonio Pérez, the mayor of Benidorm and president of the Alicante Provincial Council; Enrique Llin, the president of the ONCE Territorial Council in the Valencian Community; Estela Medina, the director of ONCE in Alicante; and Francisco José Muñoz, the councillor for Public Space, Public Works, Accessibility, and Mobility of Benidorm, who wore an eye mask and experienced firsthand what it’s like to move without seeing, along with an ONCE guide dog.
The proper way to act around a guide dog
In addition to reviewing some guidelines for how to act around a guide dog, attendees had the chance to learn about the various phases a dog goes through to become the eyes of a blind person, including rearing, socialisation, training, everyday life, and retirement.
The first of them is that dogs should not be given any food since they may have a food intolerance, which could lead to digestive issues that could impair their health and well-being and interfere with their ability to help the blind person they are with on a regular basis.
They also reminded everyone that when walking with a blind person, which they are happy to do, it is crucial to avoid diverting the dog’s attention. This demands their focus to keep them safe.
Another piece of public advice is that people who own companion dogs should always keep them under control by their side and not let them go if a guiding dog is around.
Though it’s crucial to respect their work when guiding and save play and greetings for when they’re not wearing a harness, guide dogs also enjoy lots of downtime and leisure time.
Additionally, keep in mind that you should never tug on the dog’s leash or harness when giving instructions to a blind person. Just move away from the dog and approach them, ideally from their right side.
The legal right of guide dog owners to enter any locations, spaces, businesses, and public transportation in Spain with their dog was also recalled; this is a fact that occasionally creates issues because of public ignorance.
Over 3,700 canines have been given by the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation in its nearly 35-year history, and almost 1,000 of those dogs are currently strolling through our nation’s streets and villages with an equal number of blind people. Thirty of the 84 guide dogs in the Valencian Community—the eyes of the blind and visually impaired—live in Alicante. Every year, about 140 animals are supplied.
Strolling Together
The integration of blind persons into society is one of ONCE’s top concerns. This work is founded on three pillars: employment, social and cultural interactions, and personal autonomy.
In order to address this, she established the ONCE Guide Dog Foundation (FOPG), following the lead of North American and European guide dog schools. Its current facilities, which are located in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid), provide all services, including canine training and instruction, boarding, breeding, and puppy care, as well as a veterinary clinic, a shelter for retired dogs, and a training user housing.
The most popular breeds are German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, which are hypoallergenic crosses between Golden Retrievers and Giant Poodles. Like all of the services that ONCE provides to its users, this one is free. Depending on the animal’s developmental stage, training lasts 18 to 20 months before the animal is delivered to the user. In addition to dog trainers and teachers, foster families offer to socialise the puppies during the training process.
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Costa Blanca
Police arrested a man who sold a niche for 1,500€ that he didn’t own

An individual has been arrested by the National Police in the town of Elche, Alicante, on suspicion of engaging in fraudulent activities. An octogenarian woman had been sold a niche in the town’s historic cemetery in exchange for 1,500 euros. A niche is a small, above-ground space or recess, often within a cemetery wall or structure, where a coffin or urn is placed for burial or storage. As per the municipal registry, the victim was not the owner at the cemetery at the time she attempted to execute the change of ownership.
The investigation commenced following a complaint lodged by an 80-year-old woman from Elche. She met a man through her life insurance broker who offered to lease a niche in the old Elche cemetery for 1,500 euros.
Consequently, the victim met this individual at the same cemetery that housed the requested niche. There, the victim and the man concluded the transfer of the niche and executed a private contract that was signed by both parties, rendering the transfer effective.
The grantor of the niche transferred the deed and other ownership documents associated with it to the victim after the victim paid the agreed-upon amount.
The victim, shortly thereafter, visited the municipal registry of the city to change the ownership. She was told the change was impossible because the person who gave her the property wasn’t the owner.
The officer who assisted the victim, however, attempted to mediate through a phone contact, despite this. She reported the incident to the National Police after the transferor hung up and ceased answering calls from both the officer and the victim after she explained the case to him.
After conducting the necessary investigations, the officers responsible for the case located and apprehended the suspect for the alleged fraud.
The investigation has been assigned to the Road Safety Investigation Unit of the Benidorm Armed Forces. The driver was subjected to alcohol and substance tests by members of the group, and the area was inspected to collect evidence that would help to resolve the tragic accident that claimed the lives of a family. The driver was apprehended subsequent to preliminary investigations.
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Five injured in a two-car accident in Elche

According to the Alicante Provincial Fire Consortium and the Emergency Information and Coordination Centre (CICU), an accident between two vehicles on Avenida Algoda in Elche resulted in the injuries of five individuals: a 30-year-old man, a 19-year-old man, and three minors aged 16 on Saturday, April 19th.

A SAMU unit, an SVB, a conventional ambulance or public transport unit, a command headquarters unit (UMJ), a heavy urban fire department (BUP), a rescue van (FSV), a sergeant, a corporal, and six firefighters from the Elche fire station were dispatched to the scene upon the receipt of the call at approximately 11:35 p.m.
The driver of one of the vehicles was successfully extricated by firefighters (see above.) All of the injured sustained injuries and were transported to the General Hospital in Elche and the Vinalopó Hospital in Elche.
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“Drug Supermarket” in Denia closed by Police

Four individuals have been apprehended by National Police officers in Dénia (Alicante) for the “indiscriminate” sale of drugs under the guise of a purportedly legitimate association. Over four kilogrammes of marijuana, cannabis, cocaine, and distribution materials were confiscated during the search.
The investigation began following the identification of a potential clandestine drug trafficking organisation. According to a statement from the police headquarters, the establishment was experiencing a consistent flow of individuals at various periods of the day, despite the absence of any sign or apparent commercial activity.
The officers initiated procedures to confirm the status of the establishment in conjunction with the Judicial Police and Citizen Security Units. They verified that the establishment did not have any activity records registered at the regional level during the inspections.
They also confirmed that the establishment’s basic supplies were registered to someone possibly linked to the criminal community. The association’s manager also had a criminal record.
The police conducted a “discreet” operation that verified the regular sale of narcotics at the establishment. Lines formed outside the establishment to purchase drugs on certain days, “as if it were a genuine drug supermarket.”
“Once we obtained the necessary judicial authorisations, we conducted a search. The search revealed numerous containers labelled with marijuana, zip-lock sacks containing the same substance, and pre-made homemade cigarettes. Cocaine was consumed in some areas, and some narcotics were hidden in appliances and furniture,” said the police.
The authorities confiscated over four kilogrammes of marijuana, a lesser quantity of hashish, and a small quantity of cocaine. The search resulted in the arrest of two males, aged 42 and 22, respectively.
Despite a court order sealing off the premises, the investigation continued in an effort to identify the remaining suspects. Shortly thereafter, Denia police apprehended two more males, ages 22 and 23.
An alleged offence against public health has resulted in the arrest of the four suspects. Two of the apprehended individuals had prior convictions for comparable offences.
The Denia Court of First Instance has been informed of all the proceedings.
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