The Chilean Congress took decisive steps: protect rights Recently, legislation was approved to classify the slaughter, distribution, and commercialization of livestock, thereby Pets and their meat By crime.
Chilean National Assembly Jose Carlos Meza The author of the bill criminalizing pet slaughter said:
“In Chile, there are records of foreign communities, especially Haitians, consuming meat from livestock and pets, such as cats. There are many reports, some even showing this meat being sold on the streets (without clearly stating that it is dog or cat meat). This is why we want to criminalize the slaughter, consumption and distribution of livestock, pets and their meat with relatively high penalties.»
This bill arose from the following report: Eating dog and cat meat According to the bill’s author, Deputy Director José Carlos Meza, this occurs among certain foreign communities in the country, particularly the Haitian community.
This bill, corresponding to Announcement No. 14.934-25, proposes to include three new provisions in Chile’s criminal code. Along with a permanent ban on owning animals, this provision imposes severe penalties, including light prison terms and hefty fines, on those involved in the practice.
Official Document N° 18.311
Valparaiso, April 19, 2023
Dear President of the Senate,
In connection with the motion, report and further documents that I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency, the House of Representatives has approved a bill to amend the Criminal Code to classify the offenses of slaughtering, distributing and commercializing the meat of livestock. , which corresponds to Notice No. 14.934-25 and contains the following:
bill
The only article: The following articles 291 bis A, 291 bis B and 291 bis C are incorporated into the Criminal Code following Article 291 BIS.
291 bis Article A: Anyone who slaughters livestock, distributes or commercializes the meat or parts of these animals is liable to a fine of moderate tax units and 20-30 tax units, and in addition to complete and permanent deprivation of the right to own animals. .
Article 291 Section B: Livestock shall be understood as pets or companion animals, as well as abandoned, stray, community or lost animals, according to the definition provided for in Article 2 of Law N° 21.020.
Article 291 bis C: The owner or person in charge of a temporary shelter or place for the sale, breeding and exhibition of pets or animals who commits the acts prescribed in Article 291 (A) shall be punished by up to imprisonment and a fine not exceeding 300,000. Up to 40 months tax units with absolute and permanent disqualification for owning animals.
May God protect you.
Vlado Mirosevic Verdugo
Speaker of the House
Miguel Landeros Perkic
Secretary of the House of Representatives
Watch the video:
The purpose of this legislative change is to close regulatory gaps that in some cases allow these practices to be improperly sanctioned. The project is already being debated in the Senate, and you can read the rationale for the House bill here . here.
According to Meza, there is documented evidence of the sale and consumption of pet meat, especially dogs and cats, in informal markets in Chile.
In testimonies collected by local media, residents reported the presence of slaughtered animals in the Pedro Aguirre Cerda area, an incident that shook public opinion.
“We seek to criminalize the slaughter, consumption and distribution of livestock, pets and companion animals with relatively high penalties.”
José Carlos Meza said. Additionally, troubling cases have been reported, such as that of a young girl. I ate street skewers at Central Station and ingested a dog microchip..
The chips were traced back to the poodle, further highlighting the urgency of action against the illegal trade in pet meat.
In this sense, this bill seeks to amend the criminal law that criminalizes the slaughter of companion animals, their slaughter, and the distribution of their meat and parts that are currently distributed for consumption in the illegal market. In addition, breeders and farms that slaughter and distribute livestock are also punished.
Association between pet meat consumption in Chile and Haiti.
Chile’s Congress is addressing the growing problem of livestock slaughter and consumption in some foreign communities, such as the Haitian community.
Reports of serious incidents of slaughtering pets for sale and consumption have sparked outrage among Chileans. Most of these reports involve Haitian immigrants.
Data from the National Migration Service and the Census show a steady increase in migrants, reaching over 10,000 in 2022. The majority are from Venezuela, Colombia and Haiti. The report also details the number of applications and approvals for temporary and permanent residency permits, as well as naturalization. The data highlights demographic characteristics, such as the proportion of young men in these courses.
The Haitian community in Chile has experienced significant growth in recent years, reaching an estimated population of 184,721 in 2022 (Haiti). Although their contributions to the workforce and integration have been mostly peaceful, some incidents have caused tensions between Chileans and these communities.
This includes reports of pet meat being sold in informal markets, which has prompted legislative proposals to protect domestic pets.
The following chart is Haitian migrant population in Chile (minutes) It shows significant growth in the Haitian population in Chile. It has increased exponentially since 2012, reaching a total of 184,721 by the end of 2022.
This increase reflects increased migration of Haitians into the country due to factors such as seeking better living conditions. These migration circumstances are key to understanding recent tensions over reports of livestock slaughter in some Haitian communities.
The population pyramid shows that the majority of the Haitian population in Chile consists of men aged 30 to 39 (62.6%). This demographic distribution reflects the proportion of young adults settling in the country, which is a relevant data point for understanding social and labor dynamics. Within this community. This demographic profile may influence cultural practices that have sparked controversy, such as consumption of livestock meat.
The concentration in Santiago is a key point, as most reports of pet slaughter were recorded in this region. The high presence of Haitians in the region is very significant and illustrates the problems of immigration, integration and cultural coexistence in Chile.
In response, Deputy Director José Carlos Meza is one of the main promoters of legislation seeking to severely punish this practice, filling legal loopholes that previously did not allow this practice to be properly sanctioned.
Deputy Director José Carlos Meza therefore took on a central role as one of the main advocates of a bill aimed at setting stricter penalties for slaughter and consumption of livestock in Chile.
This bill is a response to growing public concern and numerous reports raised about pet meat consumption. This practice has been a legal embarrassment due to the lack of clear provisions for appropriate punishment.
By bridging this legal gap, Meza’s plan seeks to not only protect pets, but also preserve the cultural values and emotional well-being of Chilean families who view pets as important members of the family.
In essence, this bill represents an effort to maintain peace and social justice while protecting animals from practices that are considered cruel and destructive to social peace in Chile. The bill aims to strengthen the country’s legal framework against practices that violate the rights of animals, as well as the safety and tranquility of Chilean families.
The issue of Haitian immigration in Chile was discussed in an interview with Editor-in-Chief María Herrera and Chilean National Assembly member Cristián Araya. I quote part of the interview:
Maria Herrera: There were significant waves of Haitian immigrants arriving in Chile. What has your experience been with this specific group? Is there any truth to the claim or is it baseless? I was recently revisiting a video from two years ago that mentioned street vendors selling wares in Chile. anticuchos (Grilled skewers), there was also a rumor that cats and mice sometimes appear. Have you seen any evidence that Haitian immigration introduced practices that could endanger the health of Chileans? Or can we responsibly dismiss these claims?
Christian Araya: Let me answer. Meanwhile, during Michelle Bachelet’s government, there was a human trafficking operation involving Haitians arriving on charter flights in the early morning hours (around 3 or 4). They all arrived with folders, entered Chile as tourists, and then disappeared. This clearly happened due to Michelle Bachelet’s indifference or complicity. Because I don’t believe it happened by accident. A clear decision was made to allow thousands of illegal immigrants from Haiti into Chile.
The biggest problem is that these immigrants often lack access to formal education, health care, and other basic services. This has led to the return of diseases and problems that had been eradicated in Chile for over 100 years, including those from past eras. As for the practices mentioned, as highlighted by former President Trump, legislation has been drafted to ban the consumption of domestic animals such as dogs and cats. What President Trump said was not a lie. It may sound shocking to some, it may seem like a travesty, and many may dismiss this as racist or xenophobic remarks, but the reality is that there is a reason why Chile had to legislate on this issue.
Watch the full interview:
Joana Campos is an editor with 10 years of experience working on international design projects that have a positive social impact. The real job of JC Editorial is to coordinate editorial and distribution lists, scout internationally and check country’s logistics numbers. Previously there was a ban on businesses, and the penalties for businesses were particularly severe. Joana es licenciada en Derecho por la Universidad de Guadalajara.
Joana Campos is a lawyer and editor with more than 10 years of experience managing international development projects with a focus on sustainability and positive social impact. She currently heads JC Editorial, where she has coordinated the editorial and distribution of books by renowned international authors and managed the logistics of numerous national tours. Previously, he worked as a corporate lawyer, specializing in criminal and corporate law. Joana holds a law degree from the University of Guadalajara.
