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New Laws Provide for Rather Severe Penalities for Mistreatment of Domestic Pets, Including Heavy Fines and Imprisonment


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Attached is a PDF format copy of the Animal Protection Act of Panama -- Law 70 of 18 October 2012. The official version is the Spanish language copy, and a high fidelity English language translation has also been provided, both courtesy of Dottie Atwater, who runs the spay/neuter clinic in Volcan.

Anyone wishing to report animal abuse, as defined in these documents, is advised to contact their local Corregidor.

Note that downloading of the above documents requires that you be a registered member of and logged into this website. There is no charge for a membership.

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The National Assembly has approved in the third and final reading Project No. 457 which amends the Penal Code.

Section 421 will now call for prison sentences of between 1 to 3 years for causing the death of a domestic animal by maltreatment or cruelty.

http://www.telemetro.com/nacionales/Pleno-aprueba-proyecto-penaliza-maltrato_0_1060094848.html

Edited by Keith Woolford
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Representatives from the Ministerio Publico have been providing instruction regarding the application of the new measures in various jurisdictions.

This report came from Bocas del Toro.

Training on Sanctions for Animal Abuse

A training to raise awareness of the provisions of the Criminal Code with regard to the crimes of animal abuse in our country, was given in the province of Bocas Del Toro, which was directed at public officials in this region.

The Second Prosecutor of the Public Ministry, Emeldo Márquez Pitti, stated that the legal basis of the Law 70 of 31 October 2017 by amending an article of the Criminal Code, relating to animal abuse, provides for penalties of imprisonment for offenders.

He explained that the amendment to Article 421, establishes that "anyone who, by act of cruelty, cause death or seriously injures an animal used as a pet shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of eighteen to twenty-four months or its equivalent in days fine or arrest of the end of week".

During the activity, the Prosecutor indicated that you get to have knowledge of any act or conduct that causes an injury or death to an animal should immediately report to the authorities to proceed legally.

In the workshop, attended by officials of the Ministry of Agricultural Development, the Ministry of Health, the National Police, Judicial Investigation and National Border Service.

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http://ministeriopublico.gob.pa/realizan-induciion-sobre-sanciones-por-delitos-de-maltrato-animal/

freetranslation.com

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Prison terms of 3 to 5 years for acts of cruelty that causes death to domestic animals

The deputies also approved modifications such as fines ranging from $ 100 to $ 2,000 for incurring abandonment and animal abuse.

Bill 173 that modifies Law 70, which tightens fines and increases prison sentences for animal abuse was passed in the third debate, Monday night at the Plenary Session of the National Assembly.

The document modifies article 241 of the Criminal Code as follows: who, through acts of cruelty, causes death or seriously injures a pet, will be punished with imprisonment for 3 to 5 years. Before, law 70 contemplated imprisonment of 18 to 24 months for these acts of cruelty.

Euthanasia and the slaughter of farm animals are excepted from this standard.

In turn, the document hardened fines for different forms of abuse, such as not providing food and abandoning animals.

These fines are:

Article 16. The offenses established in numerals 1, in cases of minor injuries to a pet, and 2 of the previous article will be sanctioned with a fine of five hundred dollars $ 500.00 to two thousand dollars $ 2,000.00, community work, and the obligation to attend a 40-hour course on animal rights and non-abuse.

Article 17. The faults established in numerals 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of article 15 (abandonment, malnutrition and deplorable hygienic conditions) will be sanctioned with a fine of $ 100 to $ 1,000, including community work, and the obligation to attend a 40-hour course on animal rights and non-abuse.

Article S. Article 17-A is added to Law 70 of 2012 as follows: Article 17-A. Contravene the animal health measures contained in article 10, in its numerals 1,2,3,4,5,7, or in the offenses against domestic animals, contained in article 15, in numerals 8 and 9, of this law , will be sanctioned with a fine of one hundred $ 100 to $ 300.

The bill that now awaits the presidential signature to become a Law mandates the rescue of the animal and its protection in a shelter until it can be in better conditions in new homes. And power is given to any person in the national territory to denounce acts that go against the rights of domestic animals.

https://ensegundos.com.pa/2020/01/28/prision-de-3-a-5-por-actos-de-crueldad-que-causen-la-muerte-a-animales-domesticos/

Edited by Keith Woolford
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  • Moderator_02 changed the title to New Laws Provide for Rather Severe Penalities for Mistreatment of Domestic Pets, Including Heavy Fines and Imprisonment
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Quote

Panama recognizes animal rights and feelings

dogs.jpg

Posted 02/02/2020

The awareness that our species has obligations to the other living beings that surround us, begins to manifest itself in our legislation. Two bills, passed in the third debate this week, draw a stricter regulation with the duties and rights of pet owners, and severe penalties for those who abuse, mistreat or abandon a pet. Bill 173 extends the protections contained in Law 70 of 2012, and clarifies the role of administrative and judicial authorities in the proceedings for abuses against domestic animals. In turn, bill 39 articulates an ambitious system of animal welfare departments in each municipality, financed with 3% of decentralization funds. Although both initiatives are loaded with idealism and voluntarism, They also recognize the long path in education and awareness that must be followed. The most important achievement of any legislation is to change the mentality that animals are things or objects, to recognize that they are beings with rights and feelings that must be respected and valued. -LA PRENSA, Feb. 2

 

https://www.newsroompanama.com/opinion/panama-recognizes-animal-rights-and-feelings-1

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There were already stiff laws on the books regarding animal abuse, including prison time for anyone who caused the death of a domestic animal. My employee says according to the news, the laws were being enforced in Panama City. But here in Volcan? There might as well not be ANY laws. The people who are supposed to enforce them are worthless!

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2 hours ago, Dottie Atwater said:

But here in Volcan? There might as well not be ANY laws. The people who are supposed to enforce them are worthless!

Is that a broad, unfounded statement or have you actually sat down lately with the people in charge of animal welfare to assess their capabilities, discuss their work, share knowledge, or offer assistance ?

Edited by Keith Woolford
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