Mayor of Frente Amplio denounces international championship in Melo
The mayor of the Frente Amplio, Geener Amaral, has publicly communicated the receipt of a complaint about an alleged “International Cockfighting Championship” that took place last Saturday, December 7, 2024 in the city of Melo. Given this information, and in compliance with his citizen responsibility, Amaral transferred the information to the competent authorities for investigation.
DETAILS OF THE COMPLAINT
“On Friday, December 6, it was reported that, the next day, in the La Tablada de Melo neighborhood, specifically at the Galpón de Remates location, said illegal event would take place. In response, the National Institute of Animal Welfare (INBA) appeared at the scene, verifying the veracity of the complaint,” details Mayor Amaral.
“After interrogating those responsible for the activity, the records were sent to the Prosecutor’s Office to initiate the corresponding actions.”
THE PROFESSIONAL could not corroborate what Amaral reported, since at all times the local authorities denied intervention in this episode and the INBA authorities at the national level do not respond to calls or messages.
LEGAL ASPECTS
Cockfights have been strictly prohibited in Uruguay since the promulgation of Law No. 5,657 on April 23, 1918. In addition, Decree No. 82/000, published on March 13, 2000, in its Article 33, It explicitly prohibits these practices, calling them acts of cruelty towards animals.
On the other hand, Penal Code No. 9,155, in its Article 323, establishes sanctions for those who participate in this type of activities, ranging from fines of 20 to 600 Adjustable Units to prison sentences of six months to five years in cases of serious injury or death to the animals involved.
IMPACT ON ANIMALS
Cockfighting is a practice that generates extreme physical and psychological suffering in animals. Among the most common physical damages are:
Serious injuries
Mutilations
Fractures
Vision loss
Death
On a psychological level, these activities cause:
extreme stress
Constant fear and anxiety
Loss of natural instinct
CALL TO CITIZEN CONSCIENCE
From the Frente Amplio, we insist on the importance of denouncing these practices that threaten animal welfare and are in open contravention of current regulations. Likewise, the need to promote coexistence based on respect for animals and compliance with the law is reiterated.
The complaint and the prompt action of the authorities demonstrate that this type of activities will not be tolerated, underlining society’s commitment to the eradication of cruel and inhuman practices.
