Beating Your Dog Can Lead to Charges

It’s more common to see animals abused than to hear about someone being charged for it. However, the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, told reporters today that if there is enough evidence of someone beating a dog, they can face charges.

“If it is that there is evidence that can substantiate the charge, then certainly yes, that is going to be the case,” said Williams. 

Last week, police officer Mauricio Wright was charged with animal cruelty after video footage showed him repeatedly hitting a dog with a machete in Orange Walk. 

The footage was sent to the Humane Society in Orange Walk.

In response, the Humane Society of Orange Walk issued a statement on social media, “Section 326 of the Criminal Code, Chapter 101 of the Substantive Laws of Belize (Revised Edition) 2020. This is the section of our Belizean law that states that animal cruelty is a CRIMINAL offence that can be LEGALLY punished.”

It added, “Legal measures MUST be taken in cases of animal abuse; it simply cannot continue…It is just as serious as other forms of abuse and violence… ANIMAL CRUELTY IS A CRIMINAL ACT!”

Commissioner Chester Williams added that after the video was reported to the Humane Society in Orange Walk, it was then sent to the police. “Based on that complaint, police acted, and the police officer was charged for that matter.”