In a significant move to combat animal cruelty, Yeni Berenice Reynoso, the Attorney General of the Dominican Republic, has emphasized that the law strictly prohibits all forms of animal abuse and mandates prosecution for offenders. Speaking at the first Animal Festival’s panel titled ‘Justice for the Voiceless: Challenges and Advances in Animal Protection,’ Reynoso highlighted the urgent need for enhanced protection of animal rights. She warned that individuals who engage in animal abuse often exhibit broader patterns of violent behavior within their communities, including domestic and social violence. Reynoso stressed that such individuals must not only be rehabilitated but also legally pursued to foster a culture of respect and sensitivity toward all living beings. She clarified that ignorance of the law is no defense, as legal principles dictate that all laws are deemed to be known within 24 hours in the National District and 48 hours elsewhere in the country. To bolster enforcement, the Public Ministry School is training 100 lawyers to represent victims of animal abuse across the country’s 35 judicial districts. Additionally, the Public Ministry conducts autopsies on animals when necessary and is advocating for legislative reforms to reconsider penalties for animal cruelty. Reynoso also addressed the challenges of rehabilitating rescued animals, citing the lack of adequate recovery spaces. She defined abuse broadly, including neglect, physical harm, and confinement in unsuitable environments, urging society to recognize and prevent such mistreatment.