Quintana Roo Lawmakers Propose Stricter Animal Control Laws

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — State lawmakers from the Green Party have introduced legislation to strengthen animal control regulations and increase penalties for negligent pet owners in Quintana Roo.

Renán Sánchez Tajonar, the Green Party leader in Quintana Roo and president of the State Congress’s Governing Board and Political Coordination Committee, presented the initiative alongside fellow Green Party legislators including deputies Alexa Murguía, María José Osorio, and Jorge Cabrera.

The proposal seeks to reform both the Penal Code and the Animal Protection and Welfare Law to establish proportional sanctions when an animal causes injury or death due to owner negligence. The legislation includes enhanced penalties when victims are children, elderly individuals, or pregnant women.

“Loving animals also means taking responsibility for their care. This proposal aims to prevent tragedies and protect both people and the animals themselves,” Sánchez Tajonar stated.

The initiative would create more severe penalties when animals are intentionally used to cause harm, classifying such acts as aggravated assault or homicide under existing criminal law.

Additionally, the legislation proposes establishing “Municipal Registries of Canine Specimens Subject to Special Management” to identify dogs that require specific handling measures based on technical assessments.

Sánchez Tajonar emphasized that the initiative does not seek to stigmatize animals but rather to promote responsible ownership and prevent incidents that could harm families.