The bill banning the use of animals, such as dogs and horses, to control protests or riots was signed by the Colombian President Gustavo Petro. The bill was presented by Liberal Party representative Juan Carlos Losada, and after its passing by Congress in June 2023 and acceptance by the Presidency, it became Law 2318 of August 25, 2023.
Rep. Losada said, “We did it, we won one more battle for those who don’t have a voice. Approved our law that prohibits the use of animals by the public force in the framework of social protest. Our commitment is for the defence of animals“
According to the law, dogs, horses, and other animals that have been trained by the Public Forces may only perform surveillance functions, preventive activities and control in events of mass assistance, rescue, search, detection of explosives, eradication of illicit crops or mobilization of the uniformed.
This law was drafted by the pro-animal Councilor of Medellín Juan Jiménez Lara and animal protection organizations that joined forces to advance the protection of animals who, since Law 1774 of 2016, also authored by Representative Losada, are considered true sentient beings in the legal system of Colombia.
This law includes, within the duties of the National Police, respect for the environment and the protection of all forms of life, including that of animals as sentient beings. The law also determines that Public Forces must implement a welfare, care, and protection program to guarantee the adoption and removal of animals that can no longer provide the service.
