Animal Welfare In Colombia: The New Concept
Unfortunately, there are still far too many people who fail to understand that animals are sentient beings, not objects. This leads to abuse and exposure, and often the guilty party is not even punished for it. But more and more animal rights activists are fighting for animal rights and so there are big changes. This also applies to animal welfare in Colombia.
Colombia is a country that is home to many animals of different species from different origins. It all started with Lilia Sanin, a lawyer who advocated animal rights.
Lilia Sanin and the new concept of animal welfare in Colombia
Lilia’s primary goal regarding animal welfare in Colombia was to have animals recognized as sentient beings and not as objects. In this way, the penalties for suspension and ill-treatment would be increased. Since these are living beings with feelings, they would therefore be under special protection by the state.
When asked why she was doing this, Lilia Sanin told the Colombian press:
“In my personal case, I consider it an opportunity the universe sent me to thank animals for the unconditional society they represent in my life. If I can defend them legally, my job is to help them be seen as living beings and not as objects that can easily be mistreated. “
How do animal rights and animal welfare work in Colombia?
In Colombia, animal abuse has been viewed as a minor offense rather than a criminal offense. When they reported abuse to the police, the law enforcement officers only went to the address mentioned, cleaned up the place, and then left. The people remained unaffected and unpunished.
This was supported by Law 84 of 1989, which gave animals the status of objects rather than being viewed as living beings with feelings.
So this type of law allowed the mistreatment and abandonment of animals. But thanks to Lilia Sanin’s initiative, all of this changed.
New laws regarding animal rights in Colombia
Bullfighting began to be discussed in local council meetings that discussed the issue, and that bullfighting had long been banned.
So it came about that the congregations began to change the laws so that they recognize animals as sentient beings and not as objects. Furthermore, there were the following laws that citizens must obey if they do not want to commit a criminal offense:
- Animals have to be kept in hygienic, well-ventilated and bright rooms where they can move around freely.
- They need adequate food, water, medication, and veterinary care to keep them physically and mentally healthy.
- If the weather so requires, the animals need a coat and a warm place where they can find shelter.
- One must not harm an animal: be it with blows, burns, stings or in any other way.
- An animal must not be killed for no reason.
- One must not kill an animal while delaying the suffering or the killing process. This law also applies to slaughterhouses where animals must be treated in accordance with regional legislation. Her death must be brought about as quickly as possible and with dignity.
- Animals are not allowed to be used for fights.
The law has hundreds of other ordinances to ensure animal welfare and transform Colombia into a country where animals can live in peace.
As in Colombia, animal welfare has also been strengthened in other countries. We at your animals want the whole world to strengthen their animal welfare laws so that all animals can live healthy and in peace.
