Quintana Roo Congress Passes ‘Xibalbá Law’ Criminalizing Post-Mortem Animal Abuse

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The Congress of Quintana Roo unanimously approved a package of reforms known as the “Xibalbá Law,” which for the first time criminalizes post-mortem mistreatment of animals and regulates pet funeral services.

The reforms, passed with 20 votes in favor, amend the state’s Penal Code and Animal Protection and Welfare Law. They close a legal loophole that allowed unregulated operation of pet crematoriums.

The new Article 179-Ter-4 of the Penal Code recognizes animals as sentient beings and establishes penalties of six months to two years in prison for anyone who mutilates, conceals, or gives degrading treatment to animal carcasses without complying with sanitary standards. Aggravating circumstances, such as environmental damage to ecosystems, groundwater, or soil, can increase the sentence to up to nine years.

The law also targets fraud and breach of trust in pet funeral services, aiming to protect families’ finances and the grieving process. The State Health Secretariat will create a mandatory registry of cremation agencies, while the Ecology and Environment Secretariat (SEMA) and municipal governments will oversee emissions, land use, and legal operation of these facilities. The State Prosecutor’s Office will prosecute post-mortem animal abuse crimes ex officio.

The legislation was a direct response to the “Xibalbá” clandestine crematorium case, dismantled in October 2025 in Chetumal. During the operation, authorities found more than 135 decomposing dog and cat carcasses. Investigations revealed that some pet owners had received urns filled with dirt instead of ashes, sparking public outrage. The case accumulated over 250 fraud and abuse complaints, and two suspects — Guillermo “N” and Briseidi “N” — were arrested.

Under the new law, pet owners may still bury their animals on private property as long as there is no sanitary risk.