Target: Juan Manuel León León, Fiscal General del Estado de Yucatán, Mexico.
Goal: Pursue vigorous prosecution and meaningful penalties in all rising animal neglect and cruelty cases, including poisonings and chronic deprivation, and mandate lifelong bans where warranted.
Animal abuse is being reported to authorities at least fifteen times every day, with hundreds of cases expected by year’s end. Accounts include pets left without food, water, shelter, or veterinary care and repeated claims of cat poisonings that have left neighborhoods grieving. Such scenes feature emaciated bodies, untreated infections, and animals collapsing from neglect.
Local statutes make this conduct illegal. Article 408 of the state Penal Code penalizes mistreatment, while Article 409 increases penalties when a pet dies. The state’s fauna-protection law also authorizes fines, arrests, and permanent confiscation in cases of torture, repeated abuse, or chronic neglect. Municipal authorities issue warnings and short compliance windows, yet many cases persist or escalate into suffering.
Accountability is essential. Prosecutors should file charges swiftly when evidence supports allegations, seek enhanced penalties in cases involving death or severe injury, and request court-ordered ownership bans and mandatory education. Coordinated enforcement, including rapid seizures when animals are in danger, will deter future harm. Accordingly, this petition urges immediate, consistent prosecution and strong sentencing in these cruelty cases.
PETITION LETTER:
Fiscal General León León,
Local officials describe a sustained surge in animal neglect and abuse, with approximately fifteen complaints daily and repeated accounts of poisoning and deprivation. Animals have been discovered emaciated, injured, and without basic care. Such allegations demand decisive prosecutorial action.
State law provides clear tools. Articles 408 and 409 of the Penal Code and the fauna-protection framework authorize fines, incarceration, confiscation, and other sanctions in cases of mistreatment, severe injury, or death. We respectfully ask your office to apply these provisions fully: file charges swiftly where evidence supports the allegations, seek meaningful sentences, and request court-ordered bans on animal ownership for offenders.
We also urge pursuit of restitution for veterinary costs, mandatory education in responsible ownership, and coordination with animal-protection units to prioritize rapid intervention when animals are at immediate risk. Firm, consistent prosecution will save lives and signal that cruelty and chronic neglect will not be tolerated.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Erick Pleitez
