Representative Luisa Ledesma, from Movimiento Ciudadano, argued that the city’s Constitution already recognizes animals as sentient beings, that is, they are capable of feeling joy, sadness, fear, pain or well-being.
“The Cambridge statement on consciousness confirmed that mammals, birds and even the smallest animals possess the capacity to experience emotions and consciousness.
“Recognizing animals as sentient beings implies leaving behind the vision that reduces them only to objects and assuming the ethical responsibility of protecting them, valuing that they share our existence with sensitivity, affection and fidelity,” said the legislator.
This constitutional recognition mandates every person to treat animals with dignity and guarantee their well-being.
In Mexico City, more than 61% of households have pets and in eight out of 10 they are considered part of the family, Ledesma said.
April 12 was chosen because it was the day Frida was born, the Labrador rescue dog specialized in the recovery of victims in collapsed structures that was part of the Navy Secretariat and in the face of the 2017 earthquakes she worked to rescue people in Mexico City and Oaxaca.
“Frida taught us that animals can also be heroes, that they also save lives, that they can connect with us in the darkest moments and give us light,” said the MC deputy.
