Mexico City could drastically increase penalties for animal abuse. An initiative presented in the Mexico City Congress proposes punishing anyone who causes the death of dogs or cats in the capital with up to 12 years in prison. The proposal also includes fines that could reach 281,000 pesos, in addition to new sanctions for other offenses such as sexual violence against animals.
According to the initiative in the Mexico City Congress, the reform seeks to modify the local Penal Code to strengthen current penalties, arguing that they are currently insufficient. Representative Jannete Guerrero Maya, the initiative’s sponsor, stated that the objective is to prevent serious cases from ending in plea bargains or lesser penalties that do not reflect the harm caused.
Up to 12 years in prison and fines of more than 280,000 pesos
The proposal establishes that anyone who causes the death of a dog or cat could face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to 281,000 pesos. Furthermore, the punishment for sexual violence against animals would be increased, with a maximum of six years in prison and fines of up to 234,000 pesos, according to the statement from Congress.
During the ordinary session in which the initiative was presented, it was also proposed that acts of mistreatment or cruelty be punished with prison sentences of two to six years and fines ranging from 70,000 to 117,000 pesos. For those who maintain or sponsor illegal places dedicated to the slaughter of animals, the penalty could be four to eight years in prison.
“This initiative is not a whim, it is not an exaggeration, and it is not punishment for the sake of punishment. It is a necessary correction,” stated the legislator from the Labor Party (PT). In the same statement, she added that, with such low penalties as those currently in place, many serious crimes end up with easy releases or sanctions that do not reflect the severity of the harm.
According to a report by La Jornada, animal abuse cases in Mexico City rose from 526 investigations in 2024 to 561 in 2025, representing a 6.7 percent increase. On average, nearly two cases were registered per day last year, according to figures from the Mexico City Attorney General’s Office.
The same report indicates that animal theft also increased by 34.7 percent, rising from 72 to 97 investigations during the same period. The Attorney General’s Office believes these crimes have gained greater social relevance due to their direct impact on quality of life and the urban environment, which necessitates a stronger institutional response.
In this context, the sponsoring congresswoman emphasized that the capital already has constitutional recognition of animals as “sentient beings,” but warned that this recognition is insufficient if the laws do not offer effective protection. “They are not things, they are not objects, they are not disposable, and they are not property,” she stated during her remarks.
The initiative is also part of a broader shift in the legal relationship with animals in the capital. As we previously reported, the local Congress reformed the Civil Code so that dogs and cats are no longer considered movable property and can be subject to custody in divorce cases, under the legal concept of “sentient beings.” Now, the focus is shifting to the criminal sphere. The legislator noted that protecting animals also involves preventing other forms of violence.
Source: xataka
