Mexico has taken a giant step towards stopping animal cruelty by finally making dogfighting activities a criminal act. Anyone participating or supporting a dogfight will face grave consequences, including jail time and fines. This comprehensive law ensures that anyone who is contributing to this brutal event can be prosecuted, not only the dog owners but also anyone caught organizing fights, promoting, breeding and training fight dogs, transporting, owning or renting a property that is involved in any way, or buying or selling a fighting dog. With this legislation even participating as a spectator will be considered a crime. Offenders will face a jail sentence of six months to five years in prison and a fine from 200 and up to 2000 days pay. Anyone allowing a minor to witness a dogfight will receive a higher penalty. Any public servant involved in dog fighting will receive an increase of two and a half years on their sentence allowing for up to seven and a half years. Last year, the Humane Society International/Mexico and other local animal welfare organizations began a major anti-dogfighting campaign, including petitions, press conferences, media blitzes, and pressuring lawmakers demanding this outcome.
Although underground illegal dog fights will probably continue, we have to be thankful for this step towards justice for abused animals.
