The official stated that the institution has gone from receiving 400 reports per month in 2024 to more than 550 this year, an increase of almost 40 percent.

Vieta complained about the low number of fines paid, given the lack of legal requirements to enforce payment. He added that INBA is in contact with legislators to link fines to the payment of some tax, as reported by the news program Subrayado.

In statements to the press, he stressed the need for animal abuse to be classified as a crime. “Uruguay needs to move in that direction,” he asserted.

Vieta admited that INBA lacks the necessary tools to effectively punish those who commit such offenses. jdt/jav/npg/ool