Sheinbaum Defends Culling of 10,000 Dogs in Tecámac, Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly defended former Tecámac mayor Mariela Gutiérrez following her admission that approximately 10,000 street dogs were euthanized during her administration between 2019 and 2024. Sheinbaum stated that Gutiérrez did not violate the law and that the actions were carried out under established protocols to reduce animal suffering and comply with existing regulations.

The controversy emerged when Gutiérrez, now a senator, acknowledged at a press conference that the euthanasia of street dogs had occurred under her leadership in Tecámac, a municipality in the State of Mexico. She emphasized that each procedure followed legal guidelines aimed at controlling the animal population humanely and in accordance with the law.

Sheinbaum’s defense comes amid growing criticism from animal rights activists who have called for Gutiérrez’s removal from office and demanded accountability for what they describe as mass animal slaughter. Activists argue that the scale of the euthanasia reflects systemic failures in animal welfare policy rather than lawful population control.

The president’s stance aligns with her broader position on animal welfare, including recent appeals to revise norms governing the humanitarian sacrifice of domestic animals. She has advocated for updating regulations to reflect evolving ethical standards while maintaining legal compliance in municipal animal management practices.

The case has reignited national debate over Mexico’s approach to stray animal control, particularly regarding the interpretation and application of NOM-033, the official standard governing the humane euthanasia of animals. Critics contend that current norms allow for practices that amount to cruelty under the guise of public health management.

As of now, no formal legal proceedings have been initiated against Gutiérrez, and Sheinbaum’s public support underscores the political protection she continues to receive from within the Morena party. The situation remains a flashpoint in Mexico’s ongoing struggle to balance public safety, animal welfare, and legal accountability in urban animal control policies.