Brazil Increases Penalties for Cruelty to Dogs and Cats

In Brazil, there have been increased criminal penalties for the abuse of dogs and cats. Under Federal Law 14,064, penalties for mistreatment of dogs and cats include imprisonment for two to five years, fines, and disqualification from keeping animals. 2
In this case, there was a change in Article 32 of the Environmental Crimes Law of Brazil. Punishment was increased when it was applied to cases where the animal is a dog or a cat. The law was passed in September 2020.

Provisions of the Law

Brazil's Environmental Crimes Law covers crimes of abuse, mistreatment, injuries, or mutilations of animals. In cases of dogs and cats, the provision entails imprisonment of two to five years, fines, and disqualification from keeping animals. 4
Therefore, the cruelty towards dogs and cats has higher criminal penalty compared to the general provision of animal mistreatment. This law singles out dogs and cats for the higher penalty.

Penalties Include Imprisonment and Disqualification to Keep Animals

The law is not solely based on imprisonment of the guilty party. The convict may also be subjected to fine and prohibition to keeping of animals.
The provision was incorporated into the law through Law No. 14,064 that amended the existing Environmental Crimes Law. The law came into force on the day of its publication.
The latest text of Article 32 has some amendments regarding other actions with animals, although the two to five years provision for abuse of dogs and cats remains within the law.

The Strengthened Legal Approach to the Problem of Animal Cruelty

This law reflects the special approach of the Brazilian government towards the issue of dogs and cats, which involves imposing the prison term of two to five years for the actions described above. At the same time, the prison term is combined with other sanctions – monetary fine and prohibition to keep animals.
The new regulation has made animal abuse in regard to dogs and cats a matter of criminal prosecution in Brazil. The problem is not regarded only as a misdemeanor anymore; instead, the special punishment is provided for the specified type of crimes.

The Significance of the Five-Year Maximum Sentence

The maximum of five years of imprisonment is established in the form of the range from two to five years; however, the exact punishment is determined in accordance with the specifics of the situation.
Consequently, the statutory laws would prefer to state the maximum term as "up to five years," as opposed to stating that those who harm dogs or cats receive five years in prison. 
The existing Brazilian statutory laws also say that if an animal dies, the penalty could be increased by one-sixth to one-third, depending on the Environmental Crimes Law.