Keith Woolford Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 34 Complaints of Animal Abuse in the first quarter of 2017 Catherine Perea | 23 May 2017 02.37pm The Circuit Prosecutor of Environmental Crimes Unit of the Section of Tracing Causes, Fatima Sánchez Marciaga explained that the number of pets who are victims or received serious injuries registered at the national level has increased, in the period from January to December of 2016, some 78 cases. The statistics for 2016 are broken down as follows: the First Judicial District that includes Panama, Colon, Darien, Panama West and Guna Yala was recorded 35 cases; the Second Judicial District that includes Coclé and Veraguas is recorded 11 cases; the Third Judicial District that are Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro was given a total of 24 cases, while in the Fourth Judicial District Los Santos and Herrera was registered 8 cases. However, statistics of the Public Ministry (MP) reflect the fact that in the first quarter of 2017, there are already 34 complaints of animal abuse, statistics at the national level. The prosecutor revealed that in the case of cats, the figure is on the increase and the deaths caused to pets are mainly by poisoning, however, stated that it has also given in dogs, being areas where there are farms as the village of Rio Hato, where you have seen in much of these events. These investigations have the support of veterinarians from the University of Panama (UP) and the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), however in many cases, people bury the animals and they cannot make the autopsy. Sanchez said that another difficulty faced in these investigations is the absence of witnesses, so that many cases end up filed. Other causes of death or serious injury are in cases of abuse to domestic animals which are beaten, burned, and there have been cases of zoofilia. http://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/denuncias-maltrato-animal-primer-trimestre_0_1028897983.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottie Atwater Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 There would no doubt be more reports if the proper officials knew the law!--and would act on the law. Filing a denuncia is a big time and hassle commitment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted May 24, 2017 Author Share Posted May 24, 2017 This topic is getting a lot of press at the moment because some kids threw a cat off an elevated Metro station last week. Prosecutor Fatima Sanchez of the Ministerio Publico was interviewed on TVN this morning and one of the things she said is that penalties will be doubled from 100 to 200 days. Further, she encouraged people to come forward and make denuncias when they see animals being mistreated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoSailors Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Well that is one step in the right direction. Education would be another. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottie Atwater Posted May 24, 2017 Share Posted May 24, 2017 Can anyone find contact information for Fatima Sánchez Marciaga? I'd like to contact her about the fact that the corredigor(s) here don't know the law (I always have to take a copy to them and read the applicable paragraphs to them), that filing a denuncia is a time consuming hassle, and the fines and penalties are not enforced. The situation is ridiculous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted July 9, 2017 Author Share Posted July 9, 2017 They seem to be going forward in the right direction in Panama City with animal abuse cases. 545 Animal Abusers Reported Cases. Keeping animals in poor conditions, without food, water, tied up, and unhealthy, has led to 545 complaints of abuse against citizens in the capital city. The allegations, which came to the Animal Welfare Office of the Directorate of Environmental Management of the Mayor, are from the end of 2014 to date. In this same period, the authorities have carried out 340 inspections to verify the conditions of pets. After the allegations 230 animals were rescued for the crime of abuse. Also homes were found for 178 dogs through the Spay Panama Foundation and Fundasis. According to the Mayor, José Isabel Blandón, through their office, the Municipality has sterilized 14 to 23 thousand animals, cats and dogs. Patricia Chan, director of the Fundación Spay Panama, explained that since 2016 a draft law is in development to punish animal abusers with imprisonment, because the current sanctions only set fines ranging from $100 up to $1.000, in addition to 100 to 200 day-fines, and community work. http://elsiglo.com.pa/panama/denuncian-545-maltratadores-animales/24011809 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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