April 24, 2023, 4:00 AM
April 24, 2023, 4:00 AM
The images of a white Toyota Corolla wagon that dragged a dog several blocks highlighted the harsh reality that animals live in through abuse and neglect. The animal could not get away due to the speed that the driver printedoverlooking that he was causing harm to a pet.
This incident, which occurred in the Los Ambaibos neighborhood, Virgen de Cotoca area and seventh ring, is part of the more than 500 complaints received by the Subdirectorate of Zoonosis of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, so far this year. What predominates most are the cases of mistreatment and abandonment of animals, mostly dogs.
The authorities point out that the population ignores the norm and hope that the sentences that are handed downaron in recent months can raise awareness on this issue. According to article 114, paragraph 4, of Municipal Law 037/2015 on Responsible Pet Ownership, the abandonment of animals on public roads is considered a minor infraction. The penalty for the owners is Bs 100.
The deputy director of Zoonosis, Zorka Alderete, indicated that so far this year they have received 504 complaints. “They are due to abandonment, abuse and aggressive dogs,” explained the municipal official.
Alderete added that these complaints, which enter through the telephone line 753-25000, they are subjected to a filter because on some occasions they are fights between neighborsyou.
“There is irresponsible pet ownership because sometimes, to avoid cleaning the needs of their dogs, they leave them outside and expose them to accidents, which is why there are sanctions for these owners,” he added.
Meanwhile, the person in charge of Social Control and Communication of the Municipal Shelter Center for Canes y Felinos, Ivanna Bianucci, said that in this administration the complaints to the hotline have increased by 400%.
In addition, he added that it is estimated that 70% refer to irresponsible possession, 30% to biting dogs and 5% to symptoms of canine rabies.
The complaints not only involve dogs and cats, but there are also cases of horses that travel without an owner on public roads.
Bianuncci maintained that of the dogs that roam the streets, between 70% and 80% have an owner, but the leave on the public road. “The main problem is the irresponsible possession that dates back several yearswhen we let the dog go for a walk and come back whenever he wants, that exposes many animals to being run over.”
He added that social networks also make the loss of animals, that is why they are known many cases. In addition, he stated that the vast majority of breed animals that disappear is due to the carelessness of their owners.
One of the tasks that this municipal department fulfills is to work against the overpopulation of dogs and cats, which is why they focus on free sterilization and vaccination campaigns. In addition, they attend to complaints as stipulated in municipal regulations 037/2015 on responsible pet ownership.
The sanctions vary according to the type of infractions that are comet, which can be mild, serious and very serious. According to the municipal norm, in its article 117 establishes that, for light sanctions, the fine is Bs 100; for serious, Bs 500 and very serious, Bs 1,000.
The rule also penalizes establishments that break the law.
In the alleged cases of the commission of two or more very serious offenses within a period of six months by the breeding establishments, withcommercialization, shelters, reception center and sheltersit will proceed to its temporary closure for a period maximum of one year and in case of recidivism, they will be closed definitively ”, indicates the norm.
biocide cases
Justice recently sentenced Ronny Mendoza and Cándido Camacho for the crime of biocide. The first caused the death, with stones, of the puppy named Toffi in August 2022 and the second, he ran over a dog with his bus and continued his journey without giving him any help. Both The events occurred in the capital of Santa Cruz and were investigated by the Forest Police and Environmental Preservation (Pofoma).
From Pofoma they pointed out that there are several cases that have been investigated by this Police unit. Several have even reached the sentencing instance, where in most cases deprivation of liberty has not been given because the penalty is minimal and they use the abbreviated procedure.
At this time, Pofoma is looking for the driver of the vehicle that dragged the puppy in the Los Ambaibos neighborhood. D.According to the version of the neighbors, the mixed breed animal went out into the street to play with another dog whendo its owner went on sale. At that moment the car hit the animal and dragged it more than 30 meters.
you have to protect them
The president of the Santa Cruz Animal Protection Association (APA), Verónica Solíz, pointed out that dogs and cats are pets in the home and are not meant to be exposed to the dangers of the street.
“That irresponsible attitude of the neighbor must be sanctioned with pecuniary amounts and if he is a repeat offender, veto him for the possession of animals,” he said.
Solíz added that in order to avoid irresponsible possession,in applying policies of awareness and admonition under rules of socialization and strict compliance.
“Santa Cruz de la Sierra is no longer a city of yesteryear, it is one of the fastest growing cities in Latin America and as such it must evolve and include animals as part of society,” he remarked.
He indicated that there are no State policies to drastically punish biocide or mistreatment within the national legislation. He sees fit to implement, through the Ministry of Education, the teaching of caring fore animals, which will help to have a less violent, less aggressive generation and a more harmonious coexistence with animals.
The vice president of the Municipal Council, Lola Terrazas, points out that there is no citizen awareness for responsible pet ownership. “Citizen education campaigns for the ownership of animals domestics is null, that’s why we see daily animals in street situations that are run over, many are cases that are not known to the citizens, “he lamented.
