By Andres Kogan Valderrama
HAVANA TIMES – It is hard to believe that in the year 2024 and amid multiple corruption scandals in different municipalities throughout Chile, there are also local administrations that explicitly promote abuse in their communities, disregarding basic rights that one would think should be guaranteed by all state authorities without exception.
Such is the case of the Municipality of Molina and Mayor Priscilla Castillo, who along with council members Cristian Aguilera and Francisco Valdes, came up with nothing better than to inaugurate a greyhound racetrack on February 17th, which sparked immense reactions from various organizations. Council member Cristian Martinez, along with the Esperanza Animal de Lontue Group and greyhound rescuers, filed a complaint with the prosecutor’s office for the crimes of animal abuse, illegal betting, and the use of public funds in this activity.
Although in Chile, unlike some countries (United States, Argentina, Uruguay, Panama, Portugal), greyhound racing is not prohibited, there is Law No. 21,020 on Responsible Pet and Companion Animal Ownership, which punishes those who commit animal abuse. This law can help to stop these violent and