Punishment collars are already prohibited in Mexico City, and as the person in charge, you should set an example by not using pseudo-trainers. Thank you for providing the information to file the corresponding complaint.
According to the reporting organization, the dog is wearing an aversive collar that works by applying pressure through spikes when the animal pulls. In another post, environmental and animal activist Lucía Hernández explained that this type of collar operates as a method of submission, causing pain to correct the dog's behavior.
“It is a punishment-based method that makes the dog obey to avoid pain. (...) Additionally, the dog is also wearing a wide tactical collar and a harness, which together implies a reinforced physical control scheme,” she detailed.
“It is not a single tool, but several layers of control applied at the same time. This is usually used when absolute control of the animal is sought,” she added.
Hernández stated that due to these characteristics, it is a “coercive training model,” close to traditional practices that have been internationally identified as animal abuse.
“When this is promoted by the agency in charge of public policy for animal welfare, it is normalizing the use of punishment tools. @AgatanCdmx Punishment collars are already prohibited, and you, as the person in charge, should set an example by not using pseudo-trainers. Thank you for providing the data to file the corresponding complaint @AnaJVillagran,” the post states.
Ana Villagrán denies it is a punishment collar
Faced with the accusations, the official assured that the collar in the image “is not a punishment collar,” but a “working collar,” used in very strong dogs to facilitate their handling during training.
“That is not a punishment collar. They are different. This is a working collar used by very strong dogs to have direction during activities. AGATAN in its propaganda says this is for you to 'understand' your dog, but that doesn't exist when the animal ends up subdued,” she claimed.
She also questioned why the agency continues to incorporate “pseudo-trainers” into its courses instead of hiring a canine ethologist, a specialist with scientific training in animal behavior studies.
Agency in charge of animal welfare exhibits dog's submission in supposed course
The Animal Care Agency, headed by Ana Villagrán, once again brought a private trainer to a “animal welfare” event, despite the agency itself having…
What does the law in CDMX say about punishment collars for dogs?
Article 30 Bis of the Law for the Protection and Welfare of Animals of Mexico City states that:
Any companion animal that, according to its species and characteristics, can use a collar or harness, must be suitable for its age and size, must not harm them, and must wear them permanently.
The collar or harness must have embroidered, engraved, or on an identification plate, information specifying the animal's name, the RUAC code, as well as the contact details of the responsible tutor person.
However, the definition of abuse in the legislation does not explicitly specify the use of tools such as punishment collars, so its interpretation is left open:
Abuse: Any act, action, or omission of a human that can cause pain or suffering, affecting the animal's welfare, putting the animal's life at risk, or seriously affecting its health, as well as the overexploitation of its work.
In 2024, the Animal Welfare Commission of the capital's Congress approved a dictamen that amends the Animal Protection Law of Mexico City regarding choke collars.
It adds sections 29 and 30 of Article 25 and reforms clauses C of section 2 and D of section 3 of Article 65 of the aforementioned law, to establish the prohibition of the commercialization, distribution, and use of choke collars, as they cause pain and suffering to animals.
Nevertheless, the initiative remains in committees and is pending final approval.
The Animal Care Agency (AGATAN) of Mexico City is once again in the spotlight of animal activists after a complaint was shared on social networks about the alleged use of a punishment collar on a dog during a training session at an animal welfare event organized by the agency.
The X account ‘Adopta, esteriliza y apadrina’ shared a photograph of the event, published on AGATAN's social networks, in which the dog can be seen with a thick collar that, according to the account, is a spike collar that functions as a punitive device.
This account also criticized the work of Ana Villagrán, who heads the Animal Care Agency, for bringing “pseudo-trainers” to AGATAN's courses.
“What happened there? They are violating the law,” Villagrán replied. “What happened there? I can show you one so you can see it doesn't hurt. Research before you accuse! Look for them.”
