After more than four and a half years of investigation, and following several appeals and legal challenges, the first conviction for animal cruelty in the state of Guanajuato was obtained. The ruling was issued against Miguel Ángel Araiza Reyna, accused of murdering a husky named Alpha.
Although the sentence will not apply to the defendant, who died last year, the ruling will set a precedent for cases of this type of crime.
It is worth remembering that Alpha was a husky from San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, the victim of a brutal case of animal cruelty in July 2021. After being kidnapped, he was beaten, suffocated, and then placed on the train tracks. The perpetrator was sentenced in 2024, but he managed to file an appeal, and now in 2026 the case has finally resulted in a conviction.
During a live broadcast shared on the social media accounts of the animal welfare organization Patitas de Humanidad San Miguel de Allende A.C., which closely followed the case, it was reported that the ruling represents a historic precedent in the state.
Attorneys Edgar Vázquez and Alejandro Loaiza participated in the broadcast and agreed that this sentence opens the door to promoting a reform of the Penal Code in the Guanajuato State Congress to create legislation called “Alpha Law,” which would include harsher penalties for animal abuse.
Edgar Vázquez explained that on Friday, January 16, 2026, they were notified of the ruling on the final appeal filed by Miguel Ángel. This appeal stemmed from the sentence issued on October 4, 2024, in which a judge handed down a conviction for crimes against the life and well-being of animals, to the detriment of the environment and the owner of the dog, Alpha.
Subsequently, Miguel Ángel filed a new appeal, which was finally resolved on January 9, 2026, confirming the defendant’s criminal liability. Although the defendant has since passed away, Vázquez emphasized that the sentence will serve as a precedent for future amendments to the Penal Code regarding animal protection.
For his part, Alejandro Loaiza, who has been involved in the case since July 2021, highlighted that this is the first sentence in Guanajuato in which a person was formally charged and convicted of animal abuse, which will allow for legislative reform to strengthen penalties.
The animal welfare organization Patitas de Humanidad San Miguel de Allende A.C. called on the public to report any act of animal abuse, reiterating that, as members of civil society, they work just like any other citizen: reporting, participating, and demanding justice.
Source: lasillarota
