The fight against illegal hunting and animal abuse gained a significant precedent in the province of Buenos Aires. A resolution issued by the Justice of the Judicial Department of Mercedes ordered the permanent seizure of two greyhounds allegedly used for illegal activities, prioritizing their recovery and well-being over their return to those who possessed them.
The case represents a significant change in the way these types of crimes are addressed, as the animals were considered subjects requiring specific protection within the judicial process. Additionally, the measure strengthens strategies for the conservation of wildlife by discouraging prohibited hunting practices.
The decision also reinforces the importance of applying environmental criteria in investigations related to the illegal use of animals for the pursuit of native species, an activity that generates negative impacts on biodiversity.
An operation against illegal hunting led to an unprecedented ruling
The investigation was led by prosecutor Lisandro Masson, head of the Functional Instruction Unit No. 4, after detecting the use of dogs in a rural establishment in San Antonio de Areco for activities incompatible with the regulations that protect wildlife.
During the procedure, officers from the Rural Prevention Command (CPR) seized two greyhounds that were allegedly used to chase wildlife, in violation of the current legislation on wildlife conservation.
Subsequently, the Justice ruled that both animals would not return to the investigated establishment nor be housed in state facilities. Instead, they were placed under the custody of the civil association Corazones Vagabundos, which assumed the tasks of veterinary care, feeding, and rehabilitation while the criminal case continues.
The condition of the animals revealed a situation of abuse
The veterinary reports included in the file revealed that both greyhounds had injuries consistent with intensive use in hunting activities.
Among the detected conditions were wounds, cuts, persistent pain, difficulties in moving, and possible internal injuries, in addition to signs consistent with prolonged physical deterioration.
Furthermore, specialists observed signs of deliberate food restriction, a practice used to stimulate the hunting instinct during illegal hunting. The dogs also showed fear and resistance to contact with people, a common behavior in animals subjected to violent situations.
What regulations protect greyhounds and animals used for hunting in Argentina
The legal protection of greyhounds in Argentina is based on various national and provincial regulations. The National Law No. 14.346 punishes acts of abuse and cruelty towards animals, establishing penalties for those who subject them to unjustified suffering.
On the other hand, the National Law No. 22.421 on Wildlife Conservation prohibits the illegal capture and pursuit of protected species, so the use of dogs for illegal hunting activities can also constitute an environmental infraction.
Additionally, since 2016, the National Law No. 27.330 has been in effect, prohibiting dog racing throughout Argentina, a practice historically associated with the exploitation, abandonment, and abuse of greyhounds. Meanwhile, various provinces have complementary regulations aimed at strengthening animal protection and controlling illegal hunting.
A precedent that strengthens biodiversity protection
The judicial resolution is considered a relevant precedent for future investigations into environmental crimes in the province of Buenos Aires.
By preventing the animals from returning to the alleged perpetrators, the ruling incorporates a perspective that prioritizes both the well-being of the animals and the preservation of wildlife affected by illegal hunting.
In this way, the decision could consolidate new tools to combat illegal practices that harm ecosystems, promoting a greater articulation between animal protection, biodiversity conservation, and the enforcement of current environmental legislation.
