Abandoning an animal is a crime, but not simply because of the moral and ethical component involved in committing such a despicable act. After all, the person who abandons a dog or cat exposes them to crushing or doomed them to live badly on the street, until someone picks them up and takes them to a shelter or shelter. Also, as stated at the beginning, it is a crime because the law qualifies it as such.
In fact, it is contained in article 337bis of the Criminal Code, until future amendments are included. It is regulated that anyone who abandons the animal in a way that endanger its life or integrity will be punished with a fine of one month to six months. In addition, an additional penalty is foreseen. This is a special disqualification for a period of three months to one year for keeping animals or practicing a profession, trade or craft related to them.
In order for this punishment to be given, the perpetrator of the crime must be aware of the danger that abandonment will create for the animal, that is, he must be aware of the danger to his life and integrity. While it is always worth remembering a fundamental principle of the law, it is that ignorance of the law does not exempt it from compliance.
That’s why awareness, education and, if you allow, reading articles that spread the legal truth that four-legged and two-legged animals live and that make news are very important. Not because they were better or worse written, but because their publication, dissemination, and reading depended on the inability of anyone to excuse themselves by saying they couldn’t imagine what their animals would suffer if they were abandoned.
So let’s continue to tell the truth, demand greater punishments for those who abandon animals, and work for greater awareness that prevents an animal from being abandoned in the future.