CHIAPAS, Mexico—Chiapas is no longer the only state in the country without criminal penalties for animal cruelty. With the recent reform of its Penal Code, the State Congress of Chiapas approved the incorporation of a new section that criminalizes acts of cruelty against companion animals. This major step marks a long-awaited victory for civil society organizations, activists, veterinary associations and lawmakers committed to animal welfare.
The new legislation defines and penalizes various forms of abuse and cruelty, including injuries, intentional killing, extreme cruelty, abandonment and the organization of dogfights, in alignment with the Federal Penal Code.
For the first time in the state’s penal legislation, dogs and cats—as companion animals—are officially recognized as living beings requiring comprehensive protection, and their guardians are assigned a legal responsibility for ensuring their well-being.
“The constitutional reform that prohibits animal cruelty at the national level was a turning point that paved the way for this important achievement in Chiapas. This new legal framework not only fills a long-standing gap, but also sends a powerful ethical and legal message about how we should relate to animals,” said Claudia Edwards, program director at Humane World for Animals.
At Humane World for Animals, we celebrate this reform as a clear sign of the country’s growing commitment to animal protection. We deeply appreciate the collective work of legislators such as Congresswoman Marcela Castillo, animal protection organizations such as Igualdad Animal and many local organizations and independent activists all who have championed this cause for many years.
“We hope this advancement will inspire continued efforts to ensure that in the future, not only companion animals, but all animals—including wildlife and farmed animals—are legally protected from cruelty and abuse,” said Edwards.
Media Contacts
Magaly Garibay
Category:
