Representatives from different political parties, activists and the Presidential House celebrated the approval, in first reading, of the new Animal Abuse Law. The initiative was approved with 50 votes in favor.
Only 4 people voted against it: three members from Movimiento Libertario (Otto Guevara, José Alberto Alfaro and Natalia Díaz) and Partido de Liberación Nacional’s Congresswoman Aracelly Segura.
Guevara said he is doesn’t support animal abuse, but he doesn’t think the text is constitutional.
Ronny Monge expressed that he was happy because when there is political will, the Congress can reach any agreement. He also added that Congress was able to listen to public outcry against animal abuse.
Partido de Acción Ciudadana’s congresswoman Marcela Guerrero declared that the Legislature has complied with the effort to put a stop to animals’ mistreatment and painful deaths.
Johnny Leiva, Unidad Social Cristiana’s member, explained that people who consume animals (chickens, hens, pigs) at home can keep doing it since they are going to be punished.
The law provides penalties ranging from 6 months to two years imprisonment. It also fixes financial penalties for mistreating and killing an animal.