Man Accused of Killing Dogs and Selling Their Meat at Taco Stands Released Pending Trial in Nezahualcóyotl
Bernardino "N", accused of slaughtering dogs and selling their meat for human consumption in the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl, will face trial outside of prison following a decision by a judge in the State of Mexico. The case has sparked widespread concern due to allegations of animal cruelty and violations of sanitary regulations that strictly prohibit the trade of dog meat in the country.
An event that has sparked deep indignation and concern in the State of Mexico took place in the municipality of Nezahualcóyotl, where authorities arrested Bernardino "N", a man accused of allegedly capturing and killing dogs to sell their meat for human consumption. However, despite the gravity of the alleged acts and the impact the case has had on the community, the defendant will face his legal proceedings in freedom.
During the criminal proceedings, the judicial authority based in Nezahualcóyotl ruled to bind Bernardino "N" over for trial. Despite binding him to trial, the judge decided against imposing preventive detention, opting instead to set various precautionary measures. Among these is the requirement to make periodic court appearances, alongside other legal provisions that allow him to undergo the entire legal process outside of prison.
As a result of this judicial ruling, Bernardino "N" left the Nezahualcóyotl social reintegration center where he was being held. However, his legal situation remains unresolved, as the judge ruled that the defendant must make a mandatory appearance at the next hearing in the case, scheduled for November 8.
The investigation originated from actions taken by members of a civil society organization. The group filed a complaint with the appropriate authorities and simultaneously exposed the case on social media, pointing out the existence of a site operating as a clandestine canine slaughterhouse in the municipality.
To support their accusation, the complainants published a series of photographs explicitly showing the precarious and deplorable conditions in which the dogs were kept prior to being slaughtered. The impact of these images shared online served as the basis for the competent authorities to initiate a formal investigation and prosecution against Bernardino "N" and his family, who were also named for their alleged involvement in the events.
The legal implications of the case involve two significant offenses. First is the charge of animal cruelty, as Bernardino "N" is accused of capturing the animals, keeping them in abysmal conditions, and ultimately taking their lives. Second are severe legal infractions related to the sale of a product not authorized for human consumption.
According to reports on the case, the meat obtained from slaughtering the dogs was sold for the preparation of tacos at street stands. This situation led numerous people to consume the food without knowing it was dog meat, exposing themselves to potential health risks due to the unsanitary conditions under which the product was processed.
At the regulatory level, Mexican legislation strictly prohibits the use of dog meat for human food. Official Mexican Standards categorically ban its sale and consumption throughout the country. While this practice may be tolerated or permitted in other parts of the world due to cultural differences, local law prohibits eating this type of meat because it fails to meet required sanitary conditions and is not safe for health. In light of this situation, public health authorities will also need to take notice and formally intervene in the case.
