With the slogan “Every member of your family counts”, the Police Bureau and a group of organizations that advocate for the protection of animals announced the start of an educational campaign on the changes to the Domestic Violence Law (Law 54). , which incorporate animal abuse as criminal conduct.
According to the Chief of Police, Antonio López Figueroa, since the scope of Law 54 was expanded a year ago, seven complaints have been filed under this statute. Although this figure seems low at first, law enforcement agencies and organizations understand that, based on experience, it does not reflect reality. They indicated that it should not be interpreted that abusers do not resort to violence against animals as a punishment, threat or deterrent to cause harm or exert control over their partner.
As part of this commitment, the Advisory Group for the Protection and Safety of Animals (GAPSA) was created by Executive Order, attached to the Office of the Ministry of the Interior.
“The new provisions strengthen the legal instruments against abusers, which is why we took the initiative to make citizens aware that domestic violence and violence against animals have serious consequences. In this way, we are blocking the way for one of the manifestations within the almost invisible domestic violence, which receives little attention and discussion, such as using a pet to inflict harm on a partner.The mistreatment of an animal in this context ceased to be a modality that enjoyed impunity. it is clearly a crime,” said the Commissioner of Police.
With a view to guiding the amendments to Law 54, the Police and the entities created a campaign that will be presented on social networks. In this, the relationship between animal abuse and criminal behavior is explained, and scenes of domestic abuse are recreated. Likewise, Commissioner López Figueroa urged citizens to report all instances of abuse of which they are aware, through the emergency lines 787-343-2020 and 911.
The Network for the Rights of Children and Youth of Puerto Rico explain their prevention strategies.
The video and poster are themed “Every Family Member Counts.” The poster explains the amendments to the law, how they benefit both the human being and the pet; and the relationship between crime and animal abuse as an effect of intrafamily violence. Both were released on the same day as the press conference.
“As a forerunner of the cause, it is gratifying to see that awareness of animal welfare continues to expand, both socially and legally, with this amendment to Law 54, creating a precedent on the island,” said Lillian García, vice president of the Social Pro Movement. Animal Welfare (MOSPBA), one of the entities that sponsor the initiative.
On the other hand, so far this year the Police have received 160 complaints for animal abuse, a modality that has been growing to the extent that, according to the organizations, citizens have become aware that the abuse against animals is a serious crime since the approval of Law 154 in 2008. To enforce it, the Uniformada has 15 animal protection coordinators, through the 13 police areas.
Similarly, MOSPBA established an alliance with the Puerto Rico Police to integrate recommendations into the educational curricula of the Police Academy, as well as to train and sensitize the agents that make up the Uniformed Forces.
In addition, representatives of the College of Veterinarians of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico ANIMALS and Official Investigators of Animal Cruelty (OICA) participated in the press conference. On behalf of the Police, the Central Coordinator for Law 154, Lieutenant Clarissa Ortiz and some of the animal protection coordinators were present, as well as Lieutenant Aymee Alvarado and Sergeant Ivette Rivera, both in charge of the Domestic Violence Division of the uniformed
