Animals are living beings that deserve respect and humane treatment. Recognizing the importance of animal welfare, the state of Morelos is actively taking significant steps to limit and ultimately prohibit the use of animals at carnivals, fairs, and similar public events. This initiative aims not only to prevent animals from being awarded as prizes but also to eliminate their exploitation for entertainment purposes during traditional festivities.
Alan Dupré Ramírez, Secretary of Sustainable Development, said that municipal governments have been asked not to give permits to stalls that offer animals as prizes or use them for entertainment at patron saint festivals and carnivals. He explained that when vendors apply for permits, authorities must review the types of attractions they offer.
If a stall intends to use animals as prizes or for entertainment, the application must be denied. If permits were granted by mistake or if it is discovered during an inspection that the stall is using animals, the permit can be revoked immediately, and the operator must remove the animals from the event. These steps ensure that local officials comply with the Wildlife Law.
As carnival season begins in Morelos, many vendors set up stalls at traditional fairs, drawing large crowds from local communities. Historically, some of these vendors have offered live animals such as rabbits, chickens, ducks, or cats as prizes for carnival games. These animals are often kept in inadequate conditions, exposed to loud noises, and subjected to stressful environments that can harm their health and well-being.
There are also businesses that use animals as their main attraction, such as offering photos with snakes, owls, or other birds. These practices involve handling and displaying wild animals for entertainment, which contributes to stress and potential injury for the animals involved. However, such attractions are now explicitly prohibited in Morelos, reflecting the state’s commitment to animal protection.
In February 2014, the Morelos Congress approved several reforms to Article 12 of the State Wildlife Law to prohibit the use of animals in circuses and fairs. This is specifically established in Article 71 BIS, which stipulates severe penalties, including fines of 1,500 to 2,000 times the minimum daily wage, for violations of the law. The full text of Article 71 BIS and the related reforms can be consulted in the State of Morelos Wildlife Law, available on the official website of the Congress of Morelos or through their legal publications. Officials and interested parties are encouraged to review the exact legal language for further reference.
Secretary Alan Dupré also said that, in addition to communicating new regulations to municipalities, state officials have conducted several inspections at patron saint festivals and carnivals to identify and halt illegal use of animals. These inspections are part of an ongoing enforcement effort to ensure that vendors and event organizers comply with the Wildlife Law and protect animal welfare.
He explained that during the first carnival of the year in Jiutepec, vendors who used animals in their attractions were removed four times, even though they had permits from local authorities.
“Things that violate any law cannot be authorized within carnivals; this is the case with these attractions, in which an animal is given as a prize. It is prohibited under the Wildlife Law,” he stated.
He also asked municipalities to update their rules for approving stalls to prevent violations of the law. For example, he suggested that municipal regulations should require stall operators to provide written confirmation that no animals will be offered as prizes or used as entertainment. Approval forms could include a specific section stating this requirement, and local authorities should establish clear procedures for denying or revoking permits if animals are involved. He said these practices cannot be allowed, even if they are traditional.
The LEY ESTATAL DE FAUNA can be downloaded at http://marcojuridico.morelos.gob.mx/archivos/leyes/zip/LFAUNAEM.pdf
Author: G. William Hood
Author, Columnist, Educator, Epistemologist, and Publisher
