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Exhibition of animals in stained glass: a prohibited but current practice

Despite the fact that the sale and exhibition of animals in stained glass windows is a prohibited practice in Córdoba, it is still common to see them exhibited in some veterinarians in the city.

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The ban began to take effect after municipal ordinance No. 9575 was unanimously approved in September 2019 by the Public Health Commission. It began to be applied in March 2020 and the veterinarians had a period of 180 days to adapt to the regulations.

The ordinance in its article 6 bis clarifies that the prohibition includes any type of exhibition, either for sale or adoption. Regarding the conditions of the premises authorized for the commercialization of domestic animals, it establishes that these must be isolated, with suitable ventilation, and must comply with the general requirements and ensure sufficient conditions for their containment in an optimal hygienic-sanitary state. Article 8 determines that the cages used to contain them must be specific to each species, with sanitary trays, drinkers and feeders in perfect cleanliness.

In addition, in a novel way, it contains an article that allows businesses dedicated to the sale of pets to collaborate with the animal adoption activities carried out by the Municipality, thus encouraging the adoption of “street” animals.

Unfortunately, although more than two years have passed since its entry into force, there are still premises that do not comply with the regulations, thus configuring a violation and, eventually, a crime. Faced with non-compliance, in addition to the application of the Municipal Code of Misconduct, as determined by ordinance 9575, we have national law 14,346 (known as Sarmiento Law) sanctioned in 1954. It establishes a penalty of 15 days to 1 year for those who mistreat or make victims of acts of cruelty to animals.

It is possible to think that if the conditions, established by the municipal ordinance, guarantee the physical and psychological well-being of the animals protected by the regulations, their non-compliance constitutes a serious indication that conditions other than those required will seriously harm animal welfare. ; which would place the conduct in a case of commission of the crime of animal abuse (Art. 3, inc. 7 of National Law 14,346).

It is important to make visible and be aware that these types of behaviors are intolerable. In addition, current regulations provide tools so that, if necessary, the corresponding criminal complaints are made. It is possible to formulate them in any judicial unit, in front of the judicial police or, failing that, in Courts II in the prosecutor’s office on duty.

Authors

Carla Bisoglio

Brenda Cuello

Ananda Lavayén

Contact

Juan Bautista López, juanbautistalopez@fundeps.org