Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Protest in Yucatán over bid to prohibit leaving food for street animals

The local government in Mérida, Yucatán, has backtracked on a controversial new law prohibiting residents from leaving food in public places for animals.

The regulation, which included large fines for those who broke it, drew criticism from animal rights advocates and inspired protests, leading the government to reconsider.

The proposed fines ranged from 8,962 to 448,100 pesos (US $430 to $21,600) for “leaving food in public places.” But animal advocates said that given the number of stray animals in the city, denying them food amounted to animal cruelty.

“Rather than prohibit this activity, we should be inviting citizens to take in these animals, and give them a real home,” said María Vivas Sierra, local manager of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI).

In a Tuesday press conference, local officials explained that the rule did not prohibit feeding animals, but rather leaving food unattended in public places, which could contribute to populations of pests like rats, and animal-borne diseases. They said that giving food directly to a street animal was still allowed.

But opposition continued and on Wednesday it was announced on Facebook that Mérida Mayor Renán Barerra Concha had instructed the city not to officially publish the new law until it had been reviewed and possibly revised.

“Citizens of Mérida can rest well assured that their voice will always be heard and taken into account by the local government,” the city wrote on Facebook.

Despite the announcement, plans moved ahead for two animal rights protests on Saturday, the newspaper El Universal reported.

With reports from El Universal, PorEsto! and Diario de Yucatán

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Fonatur glorieta in Los Cabos

MND Local: Major infrastructure projects reflect growing pains in Los Cabos

0
New airport facilities and new highways are on the way in Los Cabos, as our local news roundup takes a look at what's happening in Baja California Sur.
mural honoring Alicia Matías

A mural at explosion site in CDMX honors Alicia Matías, who died saving her granddaughter

1
The 49-year-old heroine's death has been met with an outpouring of admiration while the nation mourns the 15 victims of last week's gas tanker explosion.
Sheinbaum waving the Mexican flag from the National Palace during the annual Grito de Independencia

In first ‘Grito’ as president, Sheinbaum honors Mexico’s heroines of Independence

12
Josefa Ortiz Téllez Girón, Leona Vicario, Gertrudis Bocanegra and Manuela Molina were all included in Sheinbaum's first presidential Grito, or Cry of Independence.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity