María Jesús Mesalles-Courtesy
On Thursday, the Legislative Assembly approved in second reading the law that will punish animal abuse with prison time.
The initiative, which was voted unanimously with 41 votes in favor, covers only domestic and domesticated animals.
Domestic animal will be understood as every creature that by its evolutionary characteristics and behavior coexists with the human being. Domesticated animal will be understood as every creature that, through the effort of the human being, has changed its wild condition.”
The text exempts wild animals outside protected areas, as well as those for breeding or transport activities.
It also establishes the obligations of pet owners:
-Ensure basic living conditions and proper management
-Maintain spaces for their habitat under appropriate hygiene conditions
-Collect and dispose fecal wastes in appropriate places
It also fixes the following penalties:
-From three months to one year for those who, directly or indirectly, commit an act of cruelty against animals.
-This penalty includes cases of persistent weakening in an animal’s health, loss of s sense, organ, limb, suffering, severe pain or prolonged agony.
-Sexual relations with animals.
-Practice vivisection for purposes other than research.
-Penalty of up to two years to those who willfully, directly or indirectly, cause the death of an animal. Except for animals for personal or family consumption.