Controversial Topics in Animal Welfare in Latin America: A Focus on the Legislation Surrounding the Human-Companion Animal Relationship and Animals Used for Recreational Practices

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In several countries, there are practices, ideologies, rooted traditions, or legal gaps that represent challenges to animal welfare. These particularly relate to the consideration of the welfare domains of nutrition, environment, health, behavior, and corresponding mental state. In this article, we discuss some of the challenges with respect to animal welfare that arise in Latin America. Controversial topics concerning aesthetic and management practices in small animals and with the keeping of wildlife in Latin American regions are discussed. The focus is on the legal and ethical aspects, as well as the current efforts, that these countries are making to address and incorporate global welfare standards into domestic and wild animal practice and regulation. ABSTRACT: Animal welfare is a societally relevant issue that is globally attracting increased attention. This is in addition to the importance placed on welfare for the animals themselves. However, the content and application of laws protecting animals’ welfare vary across countries. In Latin America, there are a range of common practices or activities involving certain animal species, many of which are legal, that can impair an animal’s quality of life. These include the performance of aesthetic surgical procedures; bull-, cock-, and dog fighting; and the existence of circuses that exhibit animals. The extent and impact of these practices being dependent on the socioeconomic, cultural, territorial, and regulatory landscape of each country. Particularly, Ibero-American regions face welfare challenges that might be influenced by traditions and relevant legal gaps. The objective of this article is to review controversial practices carried out in companion and entertainment animals in Latin America, with a focus on legal aspects, as well as the current efforts being made to address and incorporate global welfare standards into domestic and wild animal practice and regulation.