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Mexican states have sought advice from the Yucatán Prosecutor’s Office to replicate its model for addressing animal abuse.
The Attorney General’s Office of the State of Yucatán, through its Specialized Unit for Domestic Animal Abuse Crimes, has become a national benchmark in combating animal cruelty. Led by Aarón Castillo Cabrera, the unit investigates and punishes cases of abuse and cruelty against domestic animals in accordance with the Yucatán Penal Code, with sentences ranging from six months to 10 years in prison, depending on the severity of the crime.
Recent Cases
In recent weeks, cases of violence towards animals have been reported in the state, most recently in Ixil and Peto. The unit investigates acts of intentional violence against animals, such as death or abuse, as well as abandonment and zoophilia. Complaints also address neglect, such as abandonment on public roads, lack of food or water, or exposure to extreme conditions like being tied up in the sun.
Response to Complaints
In response to each complaint, the unit’s team mobilizes experts and personnel from the forensic veterinary service to the scene. Castillo Cabrera emphasized the importance of these reports for prevention, as animal cruelty should be considered a red flag in any society. The Prosecutor’s Office maintains that individuals who commit acts of violence against animals may eventually exhibit similar behaviors toward vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly, or others in disadvantaged situations.
Legal Framework
“The investigation of animal cruelty is carried out ex officio in Yucatán. Any citizen aware of an act of violence against animals can file a formal complaint with the prosecutor’s office,” Castillo Cabrera said in an interview on the FGE’s social networks. The conduct investigated ranges from intentional harm to negligence affecting pets, such as leaving them without water or food, which is also considered cruelty.
One of the most serious crimes the unit deals with is dog fighting, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Castillo Cabrera stressed that anyone participating in such events, even if not the owner of the animals, can be prosecuted for simply being there.
Reporting and Awareness
In addition to central offices, citizens can file complaints at peripheral units and agencies of the Public Prosecutor’s Office located throughout the state. Although social networks allow citizens to make cases of abuse visible, Castillo Cabrera clarified that such publications do not constitute formal complaints. For a complaint to be effective, the complainant must provide accurate information, such as the location of the incident and details about the affected animal, to facilitate the investigation and allow for efficient action.
National Reference
Yucatán has distinguished itself by having a specialized unit for this type of crime, unlike other entities where cases of animal abuse are usually considered only administrative offenses. The Yucatecan unit has received requests for advice from other states, such as Aguascalientes, interested in replicating its model for investigating and punishing animal cruelty.
Castillo Cabrera called on Yucatecan society to remain vigilant and report any act of animal abuse. He stressed the importance of citizens making these complaints consciously, as accurate information is necessary to open an effective investigation.
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