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El Ciudadano

Original article: “No estamos dispuestos a tolerar el maltrato”: Santibáñez critica a Kast por retiro del reglamento de la Ley Cholito

Deputy Marisela Santibáñez expressed her deep concern over the government’s decision to withdraw the new regulations related to the Responsible Pet Ownership Law, commonly known as the «Cholito Law,» from the Comptroller’s office.

This regulation aimed to achieve tangible advancements in animal welfare, banning aesthetic mutilations (such as tail and ear docking), mandating microchip identification, restricting the use of choke collars, and mainly regulating activities like dog racing.

The parliamentarian representing District 14 pointed out that this instrument is the result of a broad process of citizen participation and received cross-party support in Congress, which “reflects a clear social consensus: as a country, we are not willing to tolerate abuse or cruelty towards companion animals. In this context, it is particularly concerning that the current President of the Republic was the only deputy to vote against this legislation.”

Santibáñez emphasized that while it is legitimate to hold differing opinions in a democracy, this decision raises questions about the government’s commitment to an established regulation that is widely supported by the public and civil society.

“This measure could be interpreted as a sign of misalignment with an already consolidated social agreement regarding animal protection,” she added.

Call to Kast for Animal Welfare

The deputy publicly urged President José Antonio Kast to reconsider his decision: “I ask that he not interfere with the implementation of a law where he was the only one who voted against it. It is essential to send a clear signal that his government will not seek to perpetuate animal abuse in Chile.”

Finally, she stated, “Animals do not understand left or right; let’s not subject them to that very human dichotomy.”

La entrada Marisela Santibáñez Criticizes Kast’s Decision to Withdraw «Cholito Law» Regulation, Citing Concerns for Animal Welfare se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.