A new pet slaughter has sparked outrage among residents of Motul and Kanasín, after at least four dogs and a cat were poisoned in different neighborhoods of these towns.
In the Edesio Carrillo Puerto neighborhood, west of Motul, the owners of two dogs and a cat found their animals dead upon returning home, on 36A Street between 23rd and 27th Streets. Police and personnel from the Specialized Unit for Domestic Animal Abuse Crimes responded to the scene, removed the bodies, and collected testimonies from neighbors.
Residents recalled a similar incident in April in the Solidaridad neighborhood, where several animals were found dead after ingesting poison, according to reports from the Peludos Felices A.C. association.
A neighbor is identified as possibly responsible
On this occasion, those affected indicated that a neighbor could be involved, as he has been seen abusing animals that approach his home. “He has even threatened to kill them if he saw them near his property, throwing hot water on them or hitting them,” they reported.
Residents expressed concern not only for the safety of their pets, but also for the risk to children, who could come into contact with the poisoned bodies or the toxic material spread in the area.
Similar case in Kanasín
In Kanasín, residents of 8th Street between 17th and 15th Streets in the Arboledas neighborhood reported that three dogs were poisoned. Of the affected animals, two died and one remains in critical condition.
“The incident caused outrage among local residents, who notified the authorities to investigate what happened,” they reported. A neighbor noted that there were people who didn’t want the dogs in the area, and this morning they were found poisoned, suggesting an intentional act of cruelty.
The neighbors indicated that they will file a complaint with the State Attorney General’s Office, as the animals were fed by the settlers and had been sterilized.
Penalties for Animal Abuse in Mexico
In Mexico, animal abuse and cruelty is a crime defined in both local laws and the Federal Penal Code.
At the national level, Article 419 Bis of the Federal Penal Code establishes that anyone who causes the non-immediate death of a vertebrate animal through cruelty may receive a sentence of six months to five years in prison, in addition to fines of 200 to 400 days.
If the conduct is aggravated—for example, when cruelty is present or committed in public places—the penalty can be increased by up to half.
Similarly, in several states, including Yucatán, Mexico City, Jalisco, Nuevo León, and the State of Mexico, there are local penal codes that punish acts of poisoning, torture, or abandonment of domestic animals with imprisonment and fines.
Animal protection organizations warn that these crimes not only affect pets and their owners, but also pose a public health risk, as the poison can endanger minors or other species that come into contact with it.
Citizen outrage and demand for justice
Residents of both neighborhoods have asked authorities to investigate and punish those responsible to prevent these incidents from happening again. They have also requested awareness campaigns about the care and respect for animals, reminding everyone that these practices, in addition to being illegal, generate an atmosphere of violence in the community.
Source: elimparcial
