The Environmental Commission of the Jalisco Congress has approved draft legislation to sanction people who abandon their dogs, either in the street or elsewhere, and also leave them on rooftops in the searing heat for long periods.
Other sanctions will be also applied for owners who dock the tails of their pets for aesthetic purposes; remove their vocal cords, nails or teeth; and permanently alter the skin of a canine.
If approved by the full legislature, the reforms will be reflected in the Jalisco Penal Code to include prison terms, fines or community work for such offenses.
Tail docking
Although dog tail docking is unregulated in the United State, Canada and Mexico, some veterinarians refuse to perform the procedure. Many European countries have prohibited tail docking, including Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, the Republic of Ireland and the Scandinavian nations. Colombia and Argentina are only countries in the Americas to ban the procedure.
Many countries ban cosmetic tail docking because the risks of long-term problems are greater than any perceived cosmetic benefit. Animal experts say tail docking handicaps dogs, robbing them of the ability to use their tails to signal their moods and intentions. Conversely, when a dog with a full-length tail wags it to greet another dog, the other dog is less apt to feel threatened and respond aggressively.