Quintana Roo Considers 10-Year Jail Term for Animal Cruelty

Quintana Roo's Congress is considering a law reform that could see animal abusers facing up to 10 years in prison. The proposal, submitted by the Ecological Green Party of Mexico (PVEM), seeks to amend two articles of the State Penal Code, 179 bis and 179 ter.

The proposal comes in response to the alarming number of animals in the state suffering from neglect, torture, and even death. Despite the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office Specializing in Combating Environmental Crimes, Wildlife and Urban Development in 2023, led by Normando Bustos Bertheau, many instances of abuse fail to reach the courts. When they do, the resulting penalties are often inadequate, fostering a sense of impunity and normalizing such behavior.

The proposed changes to the XVIII Legislature of the State include:

• Article 179 bis: A five to nine-year prison sentence and a fine equivalent to 100 to 200 days of minimum wage for those inflicting cruelty on any animal species, causing noticeable harm without threatening their life.
• Article 179 ter: A six to 10-year prison sentence and a fine equivalent to 400 to 600 days of minimum wage for those whose cruelty results in the death of an animal. All animals under the offender's care will also be taken into protective custody.

This reform is in line with a comparative law study that would place Quintana Roo among the regions with the harshest penalties for animal abuse in Mexico. If approved, the local law could become a benchmark in the defense of animal rights.