Animal protection and welfare according to peruvian legislation: assessment and perspective

Abstract

Animal abuse and cruelty are factors that influence social violence and constitute clinical signs related to antisocial and behavioral disorders. They are prone to occur in homes where other forms of violence exist. From an ethical point of view, there is no justification for inflicting suffering on animals for pleasure, entertainment, or profit. Cruelty towards animals is a sign of lack of empathy and compassion and goes against our moral values.

Animals are sensitive beings that also have rights and must be protected. These rights refer to the set of ethical norms and principles that seek to guarantee the well-being and protection of all species. This perspective recognizes that they have interests of their own and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Unlike humans, animals do not have the ability to express their needs or defend their rights, so it is our responsibility to act on their behalf.

The discussion around animal rights is a topic that is gaining more and more notoriety in our society and is based on the idea that we should not consider animals as simple resources for our benefit and convenience. Animals feel pain, have the capacity to experience emotions, and deserve to be treated with respect, consideration, and fairness. By recognizing and protecting their rights, we are not only ensuring their well-being, but also ours, building a more ethical, equitable, kind, and empathetic society. The way we treat animals reflects our way of being as a society; Studies show that those who mistreat animals also tend to show a lack of empathy towards human beings.

In Peru, there are laws and regulations that establish the rights of animals and that seek to protect them and promote their prosperity, such is the case of Law No. 30407, Animal Protection and Welfare Law of Peru, which criminalizes cruelty or negligence against animals as serious crimes, including abandonment, physical abuse, exploitation without regard to well-being and death without just cause. This rule prohibits the sale and trafficking of exotic animals, as well as indiscriminate hunting and fishing, which means that those who commit acts of cruelty against domestic or wild animals, or who abandon them, can be punished with prison sentences. freedom, fines and even disqualification. Local governments, the Public Ministry and the National Police of Peru have the duty to attend to and intervene in any case of animal abuse, to guarantee the application of this legal device.

The Animal Protection and Welfare Law also establishes the obligation of animal owners to provide them with adequate nutrition and veterinary care, as well as to register them in the National Registry of Domestic Animals. In addition, this law establishes the creation of an entity in charge of ensuring compliance with these regulations and sanctioning those who fail to comply with them.

The sterilization of dogs and cats, which is prioritized by Law No. 31311, brings benefits and advantages for everyone: The pet will enjoy better physical and psychological health, having a longer and healthier life, sexually transmitted diseases will be avoided, Aggression between males and compulsive sexual behavior will be reduced, environmental pollution will decrease, future expenses will be reduced, an excess of canine and feline population will not occur, etc.

As can be seen, although there are laws and regulations that protect animals in Peru, they are little disseminated and, consequently, misinformation can contribute to taking a relaxed attitude towards this issue. Therefore, there is still much work to be done to ensure that their rights are respected and promoted; A first step is to normalize good practices towards the most defenseless. In addition, it is necessary to promote awareness and responsibility regarding their care.