Organiser faces fine over ‘puppy’ parade in Maspalomas dunes

The organiser of a group walk through a restricted area of the Maspalomas Dunes in Gran Canaria faces a fine, after videos of the outing circulated on social media.

Gran Canaria’s Cabildo has opened legal proceedings against the organisation responsible. Environmental officers investigated the activity and submitted a report identifying the organiser.

The group were reportedly attending Maspalomas Fetish Pride, held in southern Gran Canaria from 1st to 12th October. They were taking part in “puppy play”, a form of role-play within the LGBT+ fetish community in which adults wear dog-style masks and imitate canine movements. The festival’s programme included several puppy-themed events, although this does not establish that the walk through the dunes was an officially organised festival activity.

The footage showed a group wearing puppy masks and carrying a Puppy Pride flag as they walked through the dunes. The proceedings concern access to a restricted part of the nature reserve, rather than the group’s clothing or flag.

The council’s environment councillor, Raúl García Brink, confirmed that the case is being pursued against the organisation responsible for arranging the activity.

No fine amount has been announced, and the proceedings are still ongoing.

García Brink said the council has installed 182 new information signs explaining the access restrictions, including near kiosks and beach bars.

The council reminded residents and tourists that the dunes are a protected natural area, with surveillance cameras and rules governing where visitors can go. Those restrictions also apply to anyone organising group activities.

Visitors should check the signs and respect restrictions when exploring the reserve.

The council says it will continue enforcement action and warnings to prevent unauthorised activities and protect the dunes.