Brazil intends to amend the Civil Code to recognize animals as beings with feelings and make them subjects of civil rights. This is reported by the Mexican veterinary portal Diario Veterinario.
The proposed amendments in the form of a bill to the Federal Senate of Brazil also include the introduction of compensation for animal cruelty. Additionally, it is proposed to share the costs of pet care between ex-spouses in the event of a divorce.
According to the publication, these changes will allow for the proper classification of pets in the legal system, ensuring their protection. Currently, pets are considered movable property, meaning they are objects of ownership without legal rights. “We are moving towards the recognition that animals are not things, but living beings capable of feelings and deserving of legal protection as provided by the Civil Code,” quotes the publication the words of Vanessa Negrini, director of the Department for the Protection, Defense, and Rights of Animals at the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. In her opinion, the proposed changes “reflect the civil society's desire to promote animal rights.”
According to the Brazilian Association of Pet Product Manufacturers (Abinpet), there are currently more than 168 million pets in the country. Moreover, over 61% of owners consider dogs and cats to be full-fledged members of their families.
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