Representative Martha Edith Moreno Valencia, a member of the Morena parliamentary group, introduced a bill to amend the Organic Law of the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Guanajuato in order to create the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Investigation of Crimes Against the Life and Well-Being of Animals.
During the Permanent Deputation, the legislator cited an investigation conducted by MILENIO, which revealed that 932 criminal investigations were opened by the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Guanajuato for crimes against the life and well-being of animals, yet only 10 convictions were handed down over the past ten years.
Animal Abuse
“For this reason, it is imperative to approve this proposal to create a Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for the Investigation of Crimes Against the Life and Well-Being of Animals. Only through a specialized structure will it be possible to transform constitutional protection into an effective and fair criminal policy, restoring the rule of law and protecting both animals and the people of Guanajuato.”
She explained that the proposal calls for the new Specialized Prosecutor’s Office to have prosecutors, forensic experts, and police officers who are properly trained and authorized to coordinate precautionary and protective measures to safeguard the welfare of animals that are victims of crimes. She also noted that the office would be implemented gradually and progressively, with support from cooperation agreements with municipal governments and civil society organizations.
The legislator also stated that the current prosecution of these crimes is hindered by impunity, as cases are handled alongside other criminal matters and are routinely classified as low-priority offenses.
She added that these investigations require forensic veterinary medicine, specialized necropsies, preservation of the chain of custody, and personnel trained in environmental and animal law, resources that are currently insufficient.
Bill Referred to the Justice Committee
The bill has been referred to the Justice Committee for review and consideration.
Source: milenio
