The Constitutional Court of Colombia has prohibited invasive cosmetic surgeries on animals, such as ear and tail docking in pets, declawing in felines, and vocal cord removal in dogs, following a lawsuit against animal abuse filed with the support of the Ministry of Environment.
Court Decision
The Full Chamber of the court declared the unconstitutionality of the term “cosmetic” contained in article 6 of Law 84 of 1989, which regulates the prohibition of cruel acts against animals.
The Court emphasized that cosmetic interventions cause suffering without providing any benefit to the animals, negatively affecting their socialization and well-being.
Colombia prohibits cosmetic surgeries on animals[/caption>
Expert Consensus and Animal Protection
The Court’s ruling is supported by the consensus of experts in animal welfare, who point out that cosmetic surgeries cause unnecessary pain.
The Constitution promotes the protection of animals as sentient beings, derived from the ecological function of property and human dignity.
Law Implementation
The decision ensures that the presumptions of abuse in article 6 of Law 84 of 1989 are effectively applied to protect animals from acts considered cruel.
The Court clarified that superficial maintenance acts, such as periodic nail trimming or haircuts in certain species, are not considered cruel and are not affected by this decision.
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