Colombia regulates Ley Ángel to establish national animal cruelty response route

The Colombian government has implemented the regulations for ‘Ley Ángel’ (Law 2455 of 2025), establishing a National Route for Animal Cruelty Response. This measure aims to strengthen protections for animals and create concrete mechanisms to address reports of cruelty across the country.

The new protocol coordinates actions between mayors' offices, police inspections, the National Police, and the Attorney General's Office. Reports will be classified into three response levels: immediate attention, priority attention, and preventive follow-up. Notably, authorities are now empowered to intervene based on evidence of pain, fear, stress, or suffering, even in the absence of visible physical injuries.

The legislation is inspired by the 2021 case of ‘Ángel,’ a dog that suffered extreme cruelty in Saboyá, Boyacá, which became a national symbol for animal rights. Senator Andrea Padilla Villarraga, the author of the law, welcomed the implementation, emphasizing the need for effective execution in every municipality.