Colombia Constitutional Court affirms pet rights in residential buildings

The Constitutional Court of Colombia has reaffirmed that pets are entitled to adequate security and protection within buildings and residential complexes. The ruling clarifies that while horizontal property regulations and coexistence manuals may establish rules to ensure harmony among residents, these provisions cannot disregard fundamental rights or impose arbitrary restrictions on companion animals.

Residential complexes are expected to strike a balance between coexistence rules, resident security, and pet welfare. This decision follows previous rulings, including a July 2026 order that permitted a dog to use common areas and elevators based on the specific health needs of the animal and its owner. The court emphasized that measures must not unjustifiably affect animals or their caregivers.