The illegal practice of Veterinary Medicine became a crime in Brazil as of this Monday (8). The change occurs after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) sanctioned Law 15.425/2026, which amends the Penal Code to expressly include the profession among the occupations protected by criminal legislation.
The text was proposed by former federal deputy Guilherme Campos and equates Veterinary Medicine with the activities of doctors, dentists and pharmacists, already provided for in Brazilian legislation.
As a result, illegal exercise of the profession leads to imprisonment of six months to two years. If the crime is committed with the intention of generating profit, the Court may also impose a fine on the fake veterinarian.
According to the text, anyone who exercises, even for free, the profession without legal authorization or beyond the permitted limits commits a crime. If it causes the death of the animal, a prison sentence of three months to one year for animal abuse can also be imposed, plus one-sixth to one-third of the total penalty for death.
The text also includes this conduct for regulated professionals who are working during a period of suspension or after the cancellation of professional registration.
