In a bid to crack down on the illegal and unregulated sale of live animals, Congresswoman Michelle Tejeda has introduced a major reform to Baja California’s Domestic Animal Protection Law.
According to Tejeda, rapid economic growth, climate change, and irresponsible human practices have created a crisis where domestic and wild animals is under increasing threat. As a result, there are more cases of abuse, indiscriminate exploitation, and habitat destruction.
“Animal welfare isn’t just about preventing cruelty, it’s about regulating human activities that degrade their quality of life,” she said.
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Illegal Animal Sales
While current law already requires animals to be sold in licensed, suitable establishments and not on public roads.
The new measure seeks to significantly broaden its reach. The goal is to explicitly outlaw the underground trade of animals, which often involves unsanitary conditions and a complete lack of permits or oversight.
The reform also introduces stronger consumer protections, including guarantees that would allow buyers to return an animal if it is found to have a pre-existing disease or other undisclosed condition.
Protecting Native Wildlife
A key focus of the initiative is the illegal trade in wildlife, as the problem extends far beyond common pets like dogs and cats, such as small and medium-sized mammals from the region’s desert ecosystems.
“We cannot allow native wildlife and at-risk species to continue being subjects of clandestine trade; it is an ethical and legal responsibility to protect them,” she concluded.
