Mexico City proposal to raise penalties for poisoning pets, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City): Initiatives for legislative reform were presented in the Congress of Mexico City that would sanction people who place toxic substances or poisoned baits on public roads and in parks with prison sentences of up to eight years.
The proposal seeks to modify the Criminal Code of the Federal District, now Mexico City, and the Law for the Protection and Welfare of Animals. It responds to public alarm caused by the poisoning of dogs in Parque España in the capital in recent days.
The initiative provides for an increase of up to two-thirds over current penalties in cases where cruelty results in an animal’s death or where the spreading of toxic substances on sidewalks or recreational areas endangers public health. Currently, Article 350 Ter of the capital’s Criminal Code sets penalties of two to six years in prison for anyone who intentionally causes the death of an animal.
With the aggravating factor of using multiple poisoned baits or committing the act in spaces of public transit, the maximum sentence would reach eight years of imprisonment. The initiatives were presented after events recorded in late October in the Condesa neighborhood, where the Attorney General’s Office of Mexico City (FGJCDMX) opened investigations into the deaths of four dogs and the discovery of meat baits contaminated with methomyl in Parque España.
