A bill presented in Congress seeks for the SOAT to cover the medical-veterinary care of animals run over on the country’s roads. The initiative is called Living Footprints
News Colombia.
The legislative proposal Huellas Vivas proposes a reform to the National Traffic Code to guarantee timely and dignified care for animals injured in road accidents, transferring to the SOAT the medical, surgical and hospital costs that citizens and rescuers currently assume.
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In Colombia, thousands of animals lose their lives every year on the roads without receiving timely help. Dogs, cats and wild species are left at the mercy of fate after being run over, while the costs of their care fall, in most cases, on supportive citizens, rescuers or foundations.
Given this panorama, a new bill seeks to change that reality.
Living smells
The representative to the Chamber for Antioquia, Juan Camilo Londoño, of the Green Alliance party, presented to Congress the legislative initiative called “Living Footprints”which proposes a modification to the National Traffic Code so that the Mandatory Traffic Accident Insurance (SOAT) assumes the medical-veterinary care of animal victims of road accidents.
The proposal contemplates that both domestic animals, such as dogs and cats, as well as vertebrate wildlife, be formally recognized as victims of traffic accidents. If approved, the regulations would allow the SOAT to cover medical, surgical, pharmaceutical and hospital expenses derived from these events, guaranteeing immediate, dignified and timely care.
Road responsibility
According to the congressman, the initiative responds to a structural problem that until now has not had a clear institutional solution. “Thousands of animals die on the country’s roads without there being an effective care mechanism. This project seeks to close that gap and move towards more humane road responsibility,” said Londoño.
From the bill they explained that “Huellas Vivas” is framed in Colombian legislation that recognizes animals as sentient beings, and incorporates principles of solidarity, respect for life and social co-responsibility. In addition, it aims to alleviate the financial burden that those who decide to help an injured animal after an accident face today.
The project began its legislative process in the House of Representatives on January 27, 2026, opening a national debate on the role of drivers, the State and society in the face of animals that also travel and inhabit Colombian territory.
For its promoters, the discussion goes beyond animal welfare. “This proposal speaks of social sensitivity and understanding that road safety also implies protecting all forms of life that share our roads,” concluded the representative.
