Peru, a country where animals are legally considered things

I believe many people are surprised by the title of this column. How could it be? animal Like an object? Aren’t most people now outraged, precisely because recent cases of abuse against them prove that they can feel pain?

This question is more complex than the seemingly obvious logic, but in Peru Things like this happen precisely because no one makes them visible.

According to the provisions of the Civil Code, animal They are considered chattels (objects) which is one of the main reasons why they are exploited without any consideration. They are bought and sold, exhibited in zoos at the cost of depriving them of their freedom, or used as attractions in circuses like La Tarumba, despite the stress this causes them.

The worst part is that our society has normalized this, such as abandoning them on roofs or terraces, or even sacrificing them because “they can no longer be taken care of”, despite the fact that both attitudes are considered Crimes punishable by the highest penalties. Sentenced to 5 years’ imprisonment under 30407 of the Protection and Animal Welfare Act.

Today there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is important to talk about it.a few weeks ago at free plan We learned about the amendment bill civil code Identify companion animals as sentient creatures.

The legislative initiative has received support from the Justice and Human Rights Committee of the Congress of the Republic, which brings together legislators José Jerry (member of the Parliamentary Group of Somos and Animalists of Peru), Carlos Antonio Andersen Lamy The projects of Carlos Antonio Anderson Ramirez (Podemos Perú) and Janet Milagros Rivas Chacara (Libre of Peru), must be submitted to the plenary for debate and approval. Will anyone object to this proposal?

yes vegetarian Ten years ago and before that, I stopped eating meat and its derivatives because I realized that doing so was inconsistent with being an animal activist, and more importantly, because I didn’t want to continue funding an industry that only caused suffering to innocent people. ..because that’s the “traditional” food industry.

No one but a vegetarian would crave everything animal To be protected by the law so that they are not murdered and kept in miserable conditions before they end up in society. Stand up for animal rights, we must have a more strategic, less totalitarian perspective. Those of us who are committed to formulating and enforcing laws to defend these laws know very well that there are no absolutes in legislation and that 10 of the 100 steps required are advanced, but the road is taken step by step, otherwise there is nothing. Achieved.

Think that is unrealistic in a country like the United States Peru A bill aimed at protecting those animals that many consider to be food will succeed, so is that why we are passing up the perfect opportunity to stop thinking of dogs or cats as things? We are far from being able to put chickens or fish in the same category as our pets, and, although we have taken important steps in animal protection in recent years, we still have a long way to go. We must realize that this path can only be built if we build, brick by brick, the reality we all want.

Case in point: What would happen if we lifted the country’s ban on circus animals because people like La Tarumba owner Fernando Zevallos influenced domestic animals not to be included in the restriction? Dozens of lions, monkeys, tigers and other wild animals will continue to be beaten, imprisoned and deprived of food if they don’t learn “tricks” in a Peruvian circus.

exist free plan We will support the approval of this proposal so that animal Being treated as sentient beings also raises awareness of the issue, regulates their situation and guarantees them protection in the event of a marriage dissolution.

Recent cases of their abuse have shown us the need for laws and the urgency of ensuring their mandatory protection.

Let’s start with dogs and cats; let’s continue our relentless fight for the missing. In the meantime, please stop putting them on our plates.