Priests bless confused pets in honor of traditional Spanish festival (video)

Hundreds of Spanish pet owners took their animals to church on Tuesday where Catholic priests blessed them on the Day of St Anthony the Abbott, the patron saint of animals.

A few dogs barked, but most animals waited patiently to be sprinkled with holy water on the steps of the baroque St Anthony's Church in central Madrid.

Priest Angel Garcia then said Mass in front of dozens of pets inside, also to some barking from the pews.

"It is a Madrid tradition and we like to keep it alive," he said.

According to a new law in Spain that took effect at the beginning of the year, animals are now considered "living beings with their own sensitivity".  The festival of St, Anthony where all animals are blessed comes just in time.

VIDEO: Pets receive special blessings in Spain.

Dogs, cats, turtles, and even ferrets are being blessed in Madrid by a priest on the day of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of animals pic.twitter.com/znVkDAA6cq

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) January 18, 2023