Cochabamba recognizes animals as sentient beings under new law

Mayor Manfred Reyes Villa has promulgated Municipal Law No. 1930 in Cochabamba, officially recognizing animals as sentient beings. This legal framework acknowledges that animals possess the capacity to experience sensations and emotional states, both positive and negative, rather than merely reacting automatically to their environment.

The law establishes October 4 as the Municipal Day for the Protection and Welfare of Animals as Sentient Beings. To mark this annual date, the municipality will promote veterinary health fairs, awareness sessions, and campaigns focused on responsible pet ownership and the prevention of animal abuse. The initiative involves participation from universities, veterinary professionals, and civil society.

Adopting the “One Health” approach, the regulation links animal welfare with human health and environmental conditions. The law aims to reduce animal abandonment, increase adoption rates, and improve responses to animal cruelty. Local authorities, including the Secretariat of Health and the Zoonosis Directorate, are tasked with executing veterinary campaigns and ensuring budget allocation for these new protections.