House task force to review animal welfare law for update

“We believe it is necessary to create a new animal welfare law, which incorporates the most advanced statutes and is in tune with the reality we live in Puerto Rico in the third decade of the 21st century,” Speaker of the House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez said.

By THE STAR STAFF

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez on Thursday announced the creation of a task force to review Law 154-2008, better known as the “Law for the Welfare and Protection of Animals” with the purpose of creating a new law that is in line with the times and new technological realities.

The task force will be led by House Vice Speaker Yashira Lebrón Rodríguez, the District 8 (Bayamón) representative.

“Law 154-2008 was progressive when it came into effect, but almost two decades have passed since then and although amendments have been made, we believe it is necessary to create a new animal welfare law, which incorporates the most advanced statutes and is in tune with the reality we live in Puerto Rico in the third decade of the 21st century,” Méndez said.

The task force will have 60 days to evaluate the law, as well as pending legislation and new ideas and concepts, in order to present the bill before the end of the current ordinary session on June 30.

“Two-thirds of households on our island have a pet, and that number is increasing every year. However, there are over 500,000 dogs and almost 600,000 cats roaming our streets; data that we must take into consideration when developing the new law,” the legislative leader noted. “Likewise, owning a pet entails a responsibility for its care and well-being. This is something the task force will have to examine closely, as well as the structure of penalties for cases of animal abuse, among other issues.”

Cases of animal abuse against dogs and cats have been on the rise for the past five years. According to news reports, some 187 cases of animal abuse were recorded in 2023. By 2025, that number had doubled.

As part of his commitment to animal welfare, Méndez created the platform “Leaving Footprints; Love Fair for Our Animals’, a program that, since March 2025, has impacted communities in municipalities such as Bayamon, Toa Baja, Camuy, Hatillo, Quebradillas and San Juan, with vaccination fairs and low-cost veterinary services.

In total, about 1,200 pets -- dogs and cats -- have been vaccinated against rabies.