In an exclusive interview, Bruno Lima, delegate and federal deputy, talks about his journey from the police station to the Chamber of Deputies, motivated by impactful experiences with animal abuse. Lima highlights the importance of dialogue and mutual respect in current politics, emphasizes the need for joint actions between public policies and individual responsibility for the betterment of society, and explains how the “Jail for Maltreatment” movement is shaping awareness about the animal rights in the country.
Delegate Bruno, firstly, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview you. His career, especially in politics, was closely associated with the fight against animal abuse. What motivated you to direct your work towards this cause?
My motivation comes from my police experience, when I was a delegate at the 13th Police Station , it was there that I witnessed countless reports of atrocities against animals. I decided to act not only within the Police Station, I took the initiative to take this fight to politics, where I can influence laws and public policies in favor of animals, seeking a more just and compassionate society.
In current times, we increasingly observe a very hostile political scenario, where each person’s political preferences have separated individuals from their social circles, even affecting families and friends, who separate or fight because of ideological differences. In your opinion, why has politics had this effect on people and how should it be applied in a more “friendly” way?
Political polarization is fueled by a lack of dialogue and understanding. We need to promote an environment where different views are respected. Politics must be seen as an instrument of collective construction, not division, seeking consensus and solutions that benefit everyone.
It is evident that our country, over the years, has been experiencing several problematic situations in various sectors. Many people say they would like to help improve the world. In your view, does the solution to improving the world still lie in politics or in the actions of citizens themselves?
Real change comes from the combination of effective public policies and individual actions. Politics provides structure and direction, but it is citizens who drive it forward with their daily actions. Civic engagement and personal responsibility are essential to building a better world.
In addition to the responsibility he carries as both a police officer and a deputy, these two positions expose him greatly to public opinion and pressure. How do you deal with this and how would you self-evaluate your current participation in Brazilian society?
I see public exposure as part of my duty. I seek to listen to constructive criticism and remain faithful to my values and the causes I defend. Self-evaluation is a continuous process of learning and adaptation, always seeking to represent the interests of the population in an ethical and transparent way.
Returning to the issue of animal abuse, unfortunately, many people see this and other problems as “minor” in relation to others that occur in society. How do you observe the public’s reaction to your approach to this issue?
I notice a growing sensitivity towards animal rights, but there is still resistance. Education and awareness are crucial to changing this mentality, showing that animal protection is a reflection of our humanity and empathy. In view of this, I presented PROJECT OF LAW No. 345, OF 2019, which aims to include Animal Law and Animal Protection content in the curriculum programs of state public schools, guided by respect for the environment, fauna, flora and biodiversity, however the Project was vetoed at the time, we continue fighting for its approval.
Currently, records of animal abandonment are still on the rise. In March last year, indices recorded an average of 185 thousand cases of abandonment in Brazil. Based on the observations made during your rescue operations, what would be the main cause for so many incidents?
The main cause of abandonment is the lack of awareness and responsibility on the part of guardians. People are often not prepared to care for animals or face financial difficulties, highlighting the need for educational and support programs for caregivers.
Among the actions he carried out during his career, one of them was the “Jail for Mistreatment” movement, which seeks to raise public awareness about animal mistreatment and the legislation related to the topic. How did the idea for this project come about and how has it helped to improve the situation?
The “Jail for Abuse” movement was born from the urgent need to give animals a voice and strengthen protective legislation. We work to raise awareness and monitor, seeking to ensure that attackers are held accountable and that laws are complied with. Our goal is to create a culture of respect and empathy for animals, promoting a more just and compassionate society. By educating the public about the importance of animal welfare and the rights they deserve, we contribute to building a world where all living beings are treated with dignity and care.
Despite the countless actions and advertisements that promote and provide guidance on how to report animal abuse, I would like to end our interview with guidance for the public. How can the public help improve the situation, and what are the internal procedures carried out by your team from the moment a complaint is received until the operation is carried out? Are the safety and confidentiality of the whistleblower guaranteed during the procedure?
The population can help by reporting cases of mistreatment and supporting animal protection initiatives. Our team acts diligently on each report, ensuring the confidentiality and safety of whistleblowers. Community involvement is essential to combat this problem and promote animal welfare.
To make a report to our team, simply send us to our form ( https://dlbrunolima.com/formularios/formulariodenuncia/home ) with photos and/or videos of the alleged case of mistreatment.
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