Thank Mexico City Lawmakers for Establishing Anti-Animal Cruelty Laws Ona Coughlan - ForceChange
go to original January 4, 2013

Animal cruelty is a major problem in Mexico City. In the past few years, police have documented cases where animals were kicked, thrown, shot, dragged behind cars, and set on fire. In the United States, perpetrators of these crimes would be given a jail sentence and a hefty fine. However, Mexico City has no anti-cruelty laws, and people who commit animal abuse are considered only minor offenders. They do not face jail time and are rarely required to pay fines.

This is all about to change. Recently, lawmakers in Mexico City agreed that people who intentionally commit crimes against animals should be heavily punished. Their ruling stipulates that if an animal is hurt, the perpetrator will receive two years in jail and a $500 fine. If an animal is killed, four years in jail and a $2,000 fine will be the punishment. Furthermore, if a person wishes to slaughter an animal to eat, he or she must not cause that animal any undue pain.

Overall, these new laws and penalties are very beneficial for the creatures living in Mexico City. Now, if someone shoots a poor stray dog on the street, that person will go to jail instead of just getting a slap on the wrist. Because of this change, residents will, with any luck, be discouraged from committing any new crimes against animals in their neighborhoods.

This decision is groundbreaking in a country where animal rights laws are not well-defined. Now that Mexico’s largest city has anti-cruelty legislation, other communities will most likely follow suit. Soon, the entire country will level serious punishments against those who intentionally abuse and hurt animals. Thank Mexico City’s lawmakers for taking this great step towards protecting animals in their city.

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