The Chaco Chamber of Deputies is analyzing two bills aimed at strengthening the state’s response to animal abuse, in a context of growing social sensitivity driven by the spread of cases on social media and in the press.
The initiatives propose penalties that could exceed $15 million in cases of recurrence and include effective imprisonment for extreme cruelty situations.
Two projects under debate
The project 535, promoted by deputies Slimel and Zimmermann, proposes a comprehensive reform of the provincial Code of Offenses (law 850-J). It precisely defines acts of abuse and cruelty, such as abandonment, lack of food, absence of veterinary care, or fights, and incorporates aggravating factors such as recurrence, dissemination on social media, or commission in the presence of minors.
Penalties range from 12 SMVM ($4,293,600) to 18 SMVM ($6,440,400) in cases of death or extreme cruelty, with arrest of up to 180 days of effective compliance. It also provides for the preventive seizure of animals, a registry of offenders, and disqualification from ownership for up to 10 years or permanently.
The project 524, by deputy Maida With, adopts a more limited approach but increases fines: between 5 and 20 SMVM ($1,789,000 to $7,156,000) for abuse, and between 20 and 50 SMVM ($7,156,000 to $17,890,000) for cruelty. In cases of death, the penalty would be at the upper end. The deputy argues that the problem is not the lack of regulations, but the gap between legislation and its real effectiveness.
Social consensus and challenges
Both projects agree on the creation of a registry of offenders and the possibility of disqualifying animal ownership, although they differ in terms. Deputy Nicolás Slimel emphasized that animal abuse is “a form of violence” and that there is a growing social consensus around the protection of animals as “sentient beings” and part of the family.
However, he warned that tougher penalties are only part of the solution: “There is a lack of controls and sustained public policies.” Therefore, he announced that they are working on creating a specific body to address the issue comprehensively.
The debate in Chaco reflects a cultural and political change: animal abuse is no longer perceived as a minor issue but as a form of violence that demands firm responses from the State. The legislative initiatives aim not only to sanction but also to build a State policy that ensures the protection of animals and strengthens social awareness of this issue.
