Judicial Proceedings in Nezahualcóyotl: Suspect Granted Pretrial Release in Alleged Sale of Dog Meat for Tacos
A judge in the State of Mexico ruled that Bernardino "N", accused of operating an alleged clandestine dog slaughterhouse and selling the meat to street taco stands, will face his criminal trial out of custody. The ruling allows him to leave the correctional facility under precautionary measures ahead of a decisive hearing scheduled for November 8.
The judicial ruling in the case of Bernardino "N", accused of the systematic slaughter of dogs and the subsequent sale of their remains for human consumption in the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl, has defined the course this case will take in the State of Mexico courts. The local criminal authority determined not to apply pretrial detention, allowing the defendant to continue legal proceedings while free.
By modifying the precautionary measure, the judge established a supervision schedule requiring Bernardino "N" to make periodic court appearances, in addition to complying with other restrictions outlined under current legislation. Following this decision, the accused was released from the Nezahualcóyotl Social Reintegration Center, though he remains formally bound over for trial and is required to appear at the hearing scheduled for November 8.
The origins of the criminal case trace back to actions taken by members of a civil organization, who documented and exposed the situation on digital platforms before filing a formal complaint with the relevant authorities. The public alert included photographic evidence showing the precarious conditions under which the animals were kept inside the property identified as a clandestine slaughterhouse. This evidence allowed authorities to formally investigate the events and initiate legal action against Bernardino "N" and members of his immediate family.
The court case addresses two criminal aspects impacting both animal protection and public health. First, the allegations constitute the crime of animal abuse, stemming from the capture and subsequent slaughter of the dogs. Second, the case takes on public health dimensions due to the final destination of the products: according to investigation records, the meat was sold for consumption at street taco stands, where it was purchased by the public without knowledge of its origin.
Under national legislation, the commercialization and consumption of this type of meat is expressly prohibited. The Official Mexican Standard bans the sale and consumption of dog meat across the entire national territory, differing from regulatory frameworks in other countries where local culture allows the practice. In the Mexican context, the prohibition is based on the fact that these products are not safe for human health, which will concurrently require the formal intervention and oversight of the relevant health and sanitation authorities.
Awaiting the November 8 hearing, the legal process will closely scrutinize Bernardino "N's" strict compliance with the imposed precautionary measures, while the courts assess his criminal liability for the combined violations concerning animal cruelty and current sanitary regulations.
