SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ.—Representatives from institutions and organizations involved in animal protection participated in a working group to coordinate actions aimed at strengthening the enforcement of Law 248-12 on Animal Protection and Responsible Ownership in the province of Santiago Rodríguez.
During the meeting, participants discussed the responsibilities of the various institutions regarding animal welfare and protection, as well as the need to establish coordination mechanisms for enforcing the law.
The president of the Manadas de Rescate Noroestana Foundation, Yadira Rivas, emphasized the importance of institutions understanding the responsibilities assigned to them by Law 248-12 and acting in a coordinated manner when faced with situations involving animal abuse, abandonment, and overpopulation.
Rivas stated that animal protection is also linked to issues of public health, safety, education, livestock production, economic development, and the population’s quality of life.
The leader thanked the governor of Santiago Rodríguez, Glehany Azcona Torres, for facilitating the meeting among entities involved in enforcing the regulations.
She explained that the organization will continue to hold orientation sessions for these institutions to help each agency identify its responsibilities and respond in a coordinated manner to situations that arise.
Rivas also raised concerns that some institutions were represented by staff members rather than directly by their heads or directors, noting that the presence of officials with decision-making authority can facilitate the adoption of measures and the follow-up on established commitments.
She reported that the participating institutions plan to hold another meeting in approximately 25 days, during which they hope to assess progress and begin implementing actions stemming from the topics discussed.
During his remarks, Rivas rejected the poisoning of dogs as a method for addressing animal overpopulation and argued that the problem must be tackled through public education, sterilization programs, responsible pet ownership, and the enforcement of Law 248-12.
The law establishes the state’s obligation to safeguard animals’ rights and protect them from abuse, abandonment, neglect, cruelty, and other forms of violence, as well as to promote the care of species and their habitats.
“When institutions work together, the entire province benefits,” stated Rivas, whose remarks were shared by journalist and community leader Juan Pablo Bourdierd Núñez.
