Paraguay’s government, through the National Directorate of Animal Defence, has created the National Registry of Animal Abusers (RAGAN). This initiative aims to strengthen animal protection across the country. According to the Directorate, the registry represents “a firm step towards protecting those who have no voice”.
RAGAN emerges following repeated public demands and several high-profile cases of animal abuse. Beyond protecting animals, the registry seeks to identify individuals who have committed acts of cruelty nationwide. This measure is widely regarded by citizens and advocacy groups as a significant advance in animal welfare and public safety.
What is RAGAN?
According to the Directorate, RAGAN is “a strategic platform designed to record the history of individuals who have been convicted or sanctioned for animal abuse”. Being the first registry of its kind implemented in Paraguay, the initiative marks a historic key step to protect pets.
Through this system, animal protection mechanisms are strengthened by increasing oversight and enabling faster and more effective responses. Particularly, in cases involving repeated offenders. The head of the Directorate, Héctor Rubín, clarified that the registry will include only final judgments or officially imposed sanctions. The registry will exclude complaints or accusations in order to avoid misinformation or unjust inclusion.
Authorities emphasised that the creation of RAGAN marks a turning point. RAGAN prevents individuals with a documented history of cruelty from regaining custody of animals. Rubín also highlighted that the registry will support the work of the Police and other State institutions.
Preventing future abuse
RAGAN will also be accessible to veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and animal protection organisations. This will allow institutions involved in adoption processes to verify whether a potential adopter has a prior record of animal abuse.
Rubín noted that, in many cases, individuals who previously lost custody of animals due to abuse were later able to adopt again without restrictions. The registry aims to close that gap. Inclusion in RAGAN is not permanent, as individuals may request removal after ten years, subject to an evaluation of their conduct and behavioural profile by the Directorate.
As Rubín said, many animal abusers reconsider their previous behaviour and change. Others, however, do not. Their inclusion in RAGAN´s list will prevent them from ever adopting again.
Regarding minors who can be offenders, they will not be included in the registry. However, the issue remains under discussion with other State bodies and legal experts, intending to develop future protection mechanisms while fully respecting child and adolescent protection laws.
Towards a more empathetic society
The Directorate stated that RAGAN contributes to building a nationwide culture of respect by promoting empathy and responsibility towards animals. The registry will also apply to cases involving illegal possession of wildlife, such as exotic birds or primates, reinforcing broader conservation and protection efforts.
In its final statement, the Directorate was unequivocal: animal abuse will no longer go unnoticed. Through organisation, information, and institutional control, RAGAN seeks to protect animal life and ensure that responsibility and accountability become central pillars of animal welfare in Paraguay.
To learn more about refuges and animal shelters in Paraguay, you can learn about Polki Squad.
