Puerto Vallarta’s Animal Welfare Department is stepping up efforts to protect pets and promote responsible ownership, issuing 17 citations so far this year for violations ranging from animal neglect to sanitation-related offenses. Officials say the increased enforcement reflects the city’s commitment to improving animal welfare while educating residents about their responsibilities as pet owners.
According to Animal Welfare Director Citlali Peña, most complaints received from the public are initially addressed through education rather than punishment. When inspectors respond to a report, they issue a formal warning detailing the violations and outlining the corrective actions required under Puerto Vallarta’s Responsible Pet Ownership Regulations.
If an owner fails to comply or commits a particularly serious offense, inspectors prepare an official report that is forwarded to municipal judges, who determine the appropriate penalties.
Among the 17 cases documented this year, the most serious resulted in an approximately 80,000-peso fine. The penalty was imposed after a woman abandoned her dog and a litter of eight newborn puppies despite previously being instructed to protect the vulnerable animals. Authorities seized the animals to ensure their safety, and the owner was fined for animal abuse and contempt after failing to follow official orders.
Peña said the majority of the cases involve animal abuse or neglect, while others stem from neighborhood complaints related to poor hygiene, including the improper disposal of pet waste in public spaces or onto neighboring properties.
Puerto Vallarta’s Responsible Ownership and Protection of Domestic and Companion Animals Regulations provide a range of penalties for violations. Depending on the severity of the offense, sanctions may include warnings, fines ranging from 10 to 300 times the daily minimum wage – currently exceeding 94,000 pesos at the upper limit – administrative detention of up to 36 hours, temporary or permanent seizure of animals, closure of businesses, revocation of operating permits, compensation for damages, and mandatory community service that includes training on the proper care and treatment of animals.
City officials encourage residents to help protect animal welfare by practicing responsible pet ownership and reporting suspected cases of abuse or neglect. Complaints can be submitted via WhatsApp to the Animal Welfare Department at 322-102-7339, allowing inspectors to investigate reports, educate owners when appropriate, and enforce municipal regulations when necessary. https://banderasnews.com/category/vallarta-living/
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