With this new measure, tattoos or ‘piercings’ for aesthetic purposes on dogs and cats are prohibited in Brazil.
Those who perform these procedures could face sentences ranging from two to five years in prison, fines, and the loss of the animal, according to a new law that came into effect this Tuesday in the South American country.
Penalties will also apply to those who consent to the practice and may be harsher if the animal dies as a result of the procedure.
What the law prohibiting tattoos establishes
The law, enacted after five years of processing in Congress and published this Tuesday in the Official Gazette, equates these practices with other forms of abuse that cause injuries or mutilations in animals, whether they are wild, domestic, or exotic.
According to the law, the prohibition will only apply to procedures carried out for aesthetic purposes, not those used for other purposes, such as identifying animals in production chains like cattle or pigs.
Defend animals from pain
Its author, Congressman Fred Costa from the Party of Democratic Renewal (PRD), argues that animals should not be subjected to pain for human aesthetic decisions.
“The freedom to tattoo our own skin does not mean we can make that decision for the animals that live with us,” he argues.
Cities like São Paulo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro had already adopted similar measures.
The value of fines
In the capital of São Paulo, the fine for these practices can reach up to 5,000 reais (about 792 euros), while in Rio it can go up to 15,000 reais (2,377 euros).
Brazil is the third country in the world with the highest pet population, with between 150 and 160 million animals, according to surveys, for nearly 200 million inhabitants.
Recently, the country’s authorities have promoted several initiatives to protect pets, including a digital identity card and stricter rules for transporting animals on commercial flights.
