A historic ruling in favor of animal welfare set a precedent a few days ago. The criminal judge Gonzalo Viña ordered the delivery of 160 mistreated cows to two animal protection organizations.
First, a situation of abandonment and mistreatment by their owners was proven.
The fact became known after an extensive legal process initiated following a complaint of animal cruelty.
Animal welfare: historic ruling and happy fate for 160 cows
Mistreated cows. (Photo: Radio Güemes).
The event dates back to a long time ago. The animals had been confiscated in February 2023 on a farm in the town of Gobernador Ugarte, Buenos Aires province, as part of a case processed in the Court N° 1 of Buenos Aires City.
In that place, they kept the cows in deplorable conditions: without regular access to food or water, in an unsanitary environment and without veterinary care.
After a thorough evaluation, the judge determined that the 160 cattle be handed over as a judicial deposit to the NGOs Cruzada Civil and Proyecto Galgo Argentina.
Both entities that had presented themselves as amicus curiae and have experience in the rescue and care of animals in vulnerable situations.
What will happen to the mistreated cows
The judicial resolution also establishes that the mistreated cows cannot be slaughtered or commercially used, and their care must follow strict animal welfare guidelines.
This with periodic reports submitted to the court. Judge Viña based his ruling on Law 14.346 on Animal Abuse. He also mentioned the importance of protecting animals as “sentient beings,” in line with the principles of contemporary animal law.
He also emphasized that “abandonment and systematic negligence constitute forms of cruelty” that cannot be tolerated.
A step forward for environmental justice and animal rights
The protectionist organizations celebrated the decision as “a huge step towards the consolidation of the rights of animals in the Argentine judicial system.”
In particular, Proyecto Galgo Argentina pointed out that it is “a historic measure, where the State recognizes the role of NGOs as guarantors of the well-being of non-human animals.”
This case sets an important precedent in the legal treatment of animal abuse in livestock activities, often overlooked. It also reinforces the key role of environmental justice and civil organizations in defending those who cannot speak for themselves.
The fate of the cows.
The delivery of these animals to NGOs marks a milestone within the Argentine judicial system, and highlights the need to regulate effective protection mechanisms for animals confiscated due to mistreatment.
Thus, the goal is not only to rescue them from suffering but also to ensure them a dignified life in safe and compassionate environments.
