Despite the enactment of the “Rulfo Law” in Yucatán, which imposes up to 10 years in prison for acts of animal cruelty, perpetrators continue to evade punishment. The law, approved by the Yucatán Congress last year, aims to protect both domestic and wild animals from cruelty and death.
Local deputy Harry Rodríguez Botello Fierro of the PVEM party stated that significant legislative progress has been made. However, activists argue that authorities are not taking animal abuse cases seriously enough. From 2022 to 2024, over 600 complaints of animal cruelty were filed, yet only one resulted in a conviction.
Rodríguez Botello Fierro emphasized that the law needs to be enforced, as authorities are already empowered to arrest individuals caught in the act. “Increasing penalties is unnecessary; we just need to apply the law and show empathy towards pets,” he concluded.
Source: El Universal
