The Libertador municipality's coexistence ordinance in Caracas classifies negligence in animal care and a lack of hygiene in spaces where animals live as acts contrary to harmonious community life. The ordinance establishes penalties aimed at compensating the community for the harm caused and educating the offender.
Owning pets in the capital city involves not only affection for animals but also a legal responsibility that, if violated, can have serious economic and social consequences. Local regulations penalize those who fail to pick up their pets' excrement in public or residential areas shared with others, or who engage in negligence that affects third parties or the animals themselves. These actions can result in penalties ranging from community service to fines.
The Ordinance for Citizen Coexistence, Civic Responsibility, and Community Justice, published in May 2023, dedicates an entire chapter to regulating “acts contrary to coexistence related to the keeping of domestic animals.” Its objective is to promote a culture of peace and respect, in order to guarantee the enjoyment of public spaces, as well as the right of all living beings to have good food, care, recreation, and well-being.
Ordinance. Article 30 of the aforementioned regulations specifies in detail the behaviors related to animal ownership that are considered infractions. These include failing to pick up pet feces or urine in public spaces as well as in private areas for common use; denying animals food and adequate veterinary care, as well as neglecting them, are also penalized.
Furthermore, the regulations consider it an offense to transport domestic animals without a leash, safety collar, or muzzle. This is especially true if the animal, due to its characteristics, could cause harm to itself or to third parties and their property.
Meanwhile, Article 13 states that citizens must care for and supervise the domestic animals "that they keep under their care, with special emphasis on those that, due to their characteristics, may represent some type of risk to the community."
Penalties. The consequences for violating these provisions are significant. Violators may be sanctioned with two community service projects or with the payment of the corresponding fines.
Fines are calculated based on the exchange rate of the highest denomination currency set by the Central Bank of Venezuela (BCV). Serious offenses, which may include repeat offenses or acts that seriously disrupt public order, carry a penalty of 100 times the value of that currency.
Regarding community work, the ordinance details the activities to be carried out, which include, among others, cleaning, restoring or painting schools, health centers, squares and public places for a period of 20 split hours; also collaborating in dining halls and other organizations of the Mayor's Office of the Libertador municipality for 20 split hours.
The rule is emphatic in specifying that any damage caused by an animal, "whatever the level of severity, to a person or to property, the owner, caretaker or person in charge, must compensate for the damage caused," as stated in article 30 of the ordinance.
Complaints. In the event of evidence of neglect, mistreatment, lack of hygiene in public spaces or residential common areas and other contrary behaviors related to animal ownership as provided for in the regulations, citizens can go to the competent authorities and report the irregularities.
Article four of the Municipal Ordinance on Coexistence defines the authorities capable of enforcing the regulations that comprise it and "execute the pertinent actions for its compliance, in accordance with the current legal system."
These authorities include the mayor, council members and public authorities, the Caracas Police, the Community Police Service attached to the Bolivarian National Police Corps, community peace judges, the Municipal Office for Coexistence, Civics and Community Peace Justice, spokespersons of communes and community councils, among others.
The coexistence ordinance promotes conciliation, dialogue, and reflection as tools. In this regard, it establishes alternative conflict resolution methods that can lead to agreements between those affected and offenders through awareness-raising talks so that the latter understand the impact of their actions.
In detail
- Wild animals. According to article 30, number three of the Ordinance for Citizen Coexistence, Civics and Community Peace Justice of the Libertador municipality of Caracas, it is considered an act contrary to coexistence related to the possession of animals to have wild or non-domestic animals in residential areas or zones.
- Responsibility. According to the aforementioned regulations, if the owner of an animal that has caused damage to another person or their property does not take responsibility for the damages, the competent authority, after a complaint from the affected party, will refer the proceedings to the Public Prosecutor's Office for the processing of the case.
- Dead animals. It is considered an act contrary to the cleanliness of public spaces to dispose of household waste as dead animals or parts thereof.
- Awareness programs. Article 11 of the coexistence ordinance defines them as the activities and programs of education or guidance to citizens, related to the offenses or infractions committed, with the purpose of raising awareness among offenders regarding proper behavior within the community.
