The President of the Acting Republic, Geraldo Alckmin (PSB), sanctioned on Tuesday (17) the law that prohibits tattoos and the placement of piercings in dogs and cats for aesthetic purposes throughout the national territory.
The standard was published in the Federal Official Gazette (DOU) and enters into force immediately. From now on, anyone who performs these animal procedures can be sentenced to two to five years in prison, in addition to the payment of a fine.
The new legislation amends the Environmental Crimes Law of February 1998, which deals with criminal and administrative sanctions for environmental conduct. The modified article provides for punishment for acts of abuse, abuse, injuries or mutilations committed against domestic animals.
The rule also applies to those who perform painful or cruel experiences on living animals, even for didactic or scientific purposes, if there are alternative methods. When the practice is committed against dogs or cats, the penalty is aggravated: imprisonment of two to five years, fine and prohibition of custody of the animal.
“The publication represents an advance in the protection of animal rights, contributes to the strengthening of animal welfare policies and coishes cruel practices that still have recurrence,” said Planalto.
The proposal was presented by Deputy Fred Costa (Patriota-MG) e.
Damage to animals
During the project in Congress, the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine (CFMV) manifested itself against the practice of animal tattoos and piercings, highlighting physical and psychological risks.
Adverse effects of tattoos include bleeding, inflammatory reactions, deep skin infections, psychological trauma and impairment of animal welfare.
The placement of piercings usually involves the forced containment of the animal and drilling with needle or pistol in sensitive areas such as ears, nose, tail and tongue. Practice can cause local and systemic infections, foreign body rejection, allergic reactions, scars, irritability, apathy, self -mutilation, increased sensitivity and touch aversion.
According to Planalto, although these techniques have been used in the past as a way of identifying farm animals, laboratory or breeders, they are now considered outdated. Modern methods such as the use of microchips-which allow electronic identification without pain or mutilation-have become safer and more effective alternatives.
States such as Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco and the Federal District had already approved local legislations that criminalize these practices. The new federal law now unifies understanding across the country.
