| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Euthanasia | The act of putting an animal to death humanely to prevent suffering. |
| Advocate | to speak for, support, or represent a person or group of people who may need extra help or protection. |
| Sterilization | A medical procedure to prevent animals from reproducing. |
In Tecamac, a suburb of Mexico City, nearly 11,000 street dogs were put to sleep between 2019 and 2023. Now, President Claudia Sheinbaum is asking for a review of animal protection laws. The issue became major news when a video showed Senator Mariela Gutiérrez, who was mayor of Tecamac at the time, discussing her actions. She said the dogs were in poor health or dangerous, and the law allowed it.
However, animal rights advocates disagree. Activist Ethel Herrejón mentioned that Mexican law only permits euthanasia in emergencies or if animals pose a danger. She questioned if proper methods and medicines were used, since these actions can be costly and require oversight. Gutiérrez is under investigation, and if found guilty of animal abuse, she could face up to six years in prison.
President Sheinbaum stated that her government has made passing animal protection legislation important, but new laws are still needed. Gutiérrez defended her time as mayor, saying they also did a lot of good, including sterilizing over 50,000 dogs and encouraging adoptions.
This situation has sparked a debate in Mexico about how to handle stray animals. Many people believe that more should be done to help these animals in a humane way and hope this news will lead to positive change in the country.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English | Spanish |
|---|---|
| Animal | Animal |
| Legislation | Legislación |
| Investigation | Investigación |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think animal protection laws are important?
- What are some humane ways to manage stray animals?
- How can communities help prevent stray animal problems?
Let’s Write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph
- What are the pros and cons of euthanizing stray animals?
- How would you handle a large stray animal population in your community?
