Punta Arenas municipality secures animal cruelty conviction

The Municipality of Punta Arenas has secured a conviction in an animal cruelty case involving a dog found abandoned on a plot of land in June 2023. Following judicial proceedings, the court granted a conditional suspension of the procedure for three years.

The defendant must adhere to three specific conditions: establishing a fixed domicile and reporting any changes, a three-year ban on pet ownership, and a payment of 2 million pesos to the animal protection group ‘El Refugio de Bigotes’. The financial obligation was fulfilled in early September 2026.

Punta Arenas Mayor Claudio Radonich noted that the municipality has been actively pursuing legal actions regarding animal mistreatment, despite the complexities of existing legislation. Municipal lawyer Patricio Farías confirmed the lawsuit was filed under article 291 bis regarding the state of abandonment.