A judge in Barcelona has issued a landmark ruling declaring that an employee was justified in missing work to take her dying pet for emergency euthanasia. The court determined that prioritising the animal’s welfare over workplace attendance was valid on “humanitarian and ethical” grounds. This decision establishes a key precedent for pet euthanasia justified absence cases.
The ruling by Social Court Number 25 of Barcelona overturns the dismissal of a teleoperator who had been fired by her employer, Majorel SP Solutions, for alleged unjustified absenteeism. The judge concluded that it “would be immoral” to expect the worker to finish her shift while her dog suffered in agony.
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Home » Missing Work for Pet Euthanasia: Barcelona Judge Rules Absence Justified
Pet Euthanasia Justified Absence: ‘Immoral to Prolong Agony’
The case centres on a series of absences in late 2024 leading to the employee’s dismissal in January 2025. The company cited four unjustified absences as the reason for termination, classifying them as a “very serious offence”. However, the court found that the most significant absence-on 29 November 2024-was entirely justified.
On that day, the employee’s dog suffered a “sudden and unforeseen worsening” of an existing condition. The animal had a growth in its mouth and was bleeding and apathetic. Although a veterinary appointment had been scheduled for the following day, the dog’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
The worker, whose shift ran from 08:00 to 16:00, contacted the vet in the morning and was told to bring the animal in immediately for euthanasia “for humanitarian reasons”.
“It would be immoral [for the dog] to have had to prolong the agony until the owner finished her workday.”
– Social Court No. 25, Barcelona
In his written judgement, the magistrate noted that forcing the animal to wait until late afternoon for relief solely so the employee could finish her shift would be unethical.
Legal Precedent and Animal Welfare
The judge acknowledged that neither the Ley del Estatuto de los Trabajadores (Workers’ Statute) nor the sector’s collective agreement currently provides specific leave for pet emergencies. However, he argued that “humanitarian, ethical, and moral reasons” justify prioritising the health of a domestic animal in critical condition.
The ruling invoked Spain’s 2023 Law on the Protection of the Rights and Welfare of Animals, which codifies the protection of animal dignity. This legislative context supported the view that the absence was not “on a whim” but a necessary response to a crisis.
Albert Vallribera, the lawyer from Colectivo Ronda who represented the worker, stated that the decision reflects a profound shift in society. “Animals have ceased to be considered simple goods to become what they are: living beings entitled to rights,” he said.
Unfair Dismissal Decision
The court examined the other alleged absences cited by the company. An incident on 3 December, where the employee arrived two hours late after a private appointment, was deemed insufficient for disciplinary action as she still worked 75% of her shift.
Consequently, only two absences (on 9 and 25 December) remained unjustified. Under the relevant collective agreement, dismissal requires three or more unjustified absences within a 30-day period. Since this threshold was not met, the dismissal was declared unfair.
The court has ordered Majorel SP Solutions to either reinstate the worker or pay her €4,116 in compensation. The ruling may still be appealed before the High Court of Justice of Catalonia.
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If an official ruling reference (ROJ/ECLI) becomes available, it can be looked up via CGPJ (Judiciary portal).
