In an event that brought together more than five hundred defenders of animal rights, a hundred dogs and various authorities, President Gustavo Petro formalized the promulgation of two new regulations that seek to transform the relationship between humans and animals in the country. Angel and Lorenzo laws, promoted by Senator Andrea Padilla, establish forceful measures to combat animal abuse and improve the conditions of canines used in private security work. This legislative act marks a milestone in animal protection in Colombia.
The Angel Law, identified as Law 2455 of 2025, introduces more severe criminal and administrative sanctions for those who commit acts of cruelty against domestic or wild animals. For its part, the Lorenzo Law, Law 2454 of 2025, seeks to guarantee the well -being of dogs used in private surveillance, promoting its decent retirement and the implementation of technologies that eventually replace them. In addition, in a last moment advertisement, Congress approved the Kiara law, also of authorship of Padilla, which will regulate the services for pets, such as hotels and nurseries, a growing sector that until now lacked regulation.
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This law establishes more severe sentences for those who cause harm to animals. The sanctions include prison greater than four years for those who intentionally kill an animal, which makes this crime not released. Likewise, fines that range between 15 and 60 monthly minimum wages are contemplated, depending on the seriousness of the damage caused, whether serious injuries or death.
The regulations also introduce specific aggravations, such as vicar violence exerted through animals, the dissemination of pornography or scenes of animal violence, and the mutilation of animals in economic activities. In addition, accessory sentences are created that prohibit the possession of animals for a period that can double the duration of the main penalty, as well as disqualification to exercise professions related to animal care.
In the administrative field, the law enables the police to enter homes when there is evidence that an animal is in imminent danger. It also orders the creation of a National Route of Attention to Animal Abuse, which must reach all the municipalities of the country, and establishes a sanctioning procedure for cases of mild or moderate abuse. According to the regulations, the abandonment of animals will also be sanctioned.
On the pedagogical level, the law seeks to sensitize prosecutors, judges and other justice operators through mandatory training. In addition, those who commit mild abuse will be able to fulfill their sanction by attending courses on animal protection, thus promoting a cultural transformation around respect for animals.
For its part, this law focuses on dogs used in private security work. The regulations assign to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) the task of developing technological alternatives that gradually replace these animals in the controlled defense modality.
Among the most outstanding provisions, The law reduces the maximum age allowed for the use of dogs in these tasks of eight to six years and requires sterilization from six months of age to avoid reproduction within companies. It also forces surveillance companies to implement withdrawal plans that guarantee the adoption of animals once they have finished their service.
The regulations establish strict animal welfare standards, including weekly rest and recreation times, Adaptation of caniles with optimal ventilation, lighting and thermal comfort conditions, as well as the provision of quality food and protection against climate inclement. In addition, companies must install surveillance cameras in jobs and caniles to ensure compliance with these measures.
To reinforce the supervision, the National Registry of Private Surveillance and Security dogs is created, which will allow identifying and monitoring the history of each animal. Likewise, the National Learning Service (SENA) will be responsible for training and certifying personnel in animal welfare, while companies will be obliged to report any case of abuse in their facilities.
