Controversial Topics in Animal Welfare in Latin America: A Focus on the Legislation Surrounding the Human-Companion Animal Relationship and Animals Used for Recreational Practices
Daniel Mota-Rojas,
Ana Strappini,
Alexandra L. Whittaker,
Marcelo Ghezzi,
Cristiane Gonçalves Titto,
Néstor Calderón-Maldonado,
Patricia Mora-Medina,
Adriana Domínguez-Oliva,
Jocelyn Gómez-Prado,
Ismael Hernández-Ávalos,
Nancy José-Pérez,
Alejandro Casas-Alvarado,
Agustín Orihuela
Affiliations
Daniel Mota-Rojas
Neurophysiology, Behaviour and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Ana Strappini
Wageningen Livestock Research, Wageningen University & Research, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
Alexandra L. Whittaker
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5116, Australia
Marcelo Ghezzi
Animal Welfare Area, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences (FCV), Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), University Campus, Tandil 7000, Argentina
Cristiane Gonçalves Titto
Laboratório de Biometeorologia e Etologia, FZEA-USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, Brazil
Néstor Calderón-Maldonado
Ethology, Bioethics and Animal Welfare, Universidad La Salle, Bogotá 110231, Colombia
Patricia Mora-Medina
Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán 54714, Mexico
Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
Neurophysiology, Behaviour and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Jocelyn Gómez-Prado
Neurophysiology, Behaviour and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Ismael Hernández-Ávalos
Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuautitlán 54714, Mexico
Nancy José-Pérez
Neurophysiology, Behaviour and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Alejandro Casas-Alvarado
Neurophysiology, Behaviour and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Ciudad de México 04960, Mexico
Agustín Orihuela
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
Animal welfare is a societally relevant issue that is globally attracting increased attention. This is in addition to the importance placed on welfare for the animals themselves. However, the content and application of laws protecting animals’ welfare vary across countries. In Latin America, there are a range of common practices or activities involving certain animal species, many of which are legal, that can impair an animal’s quality of life. These include the performance of aesthetic surgical procedures; bull-, cock-, and dog fighting; and the existence of circuses that exhibit animals. The extent and impact of these practices being dependent on the socioeconomic, cultural, territorial, and regulatory landscape of each country. Particularly, Ibero-American regions face welfare challenges that might be influenced by traditions and relevant legal gaps. The objective of this article is to review controversial practices carried out in companion and entertainment animals in Latin America, with a focus on legal aspects, as well as the current efforts being made to address and incorporate global welfare standards into domestic and wild animal practice and regulation.
