Haghenbeck Foundation files complaints against Mexico City officials over Refugio Franciscano case

The Antonio Haghenbeck Foundation has formally accused public officials within the Mexico City government of abusing their power, engaging in cover-ups, and neglecting their duties in connection with the Refugio Franciscano case. The foundation specifically targeted officials from the Environmental and Territorial Planning Prosecutor's Office (PAOT), including its prosecutor Mónica Vietnika Alegre González and sub-prosecutor Francisco Javier García Ramírez, along with members of PAOT's Transparency Committee.

The complaints, filed with the Mexico City Attorney General's Office, the General Comptroller's Office, and the Superior Audit Office, allege that these PAOT officials committed offenses such as cover-up, improper exercise of public service, serious omissions, and acts related to animal cruelty, either by commission or omission, concerning the animals rescued on January 7, 2026. The foundation claims PAOT has ignored previously substantiated complaints of animal cruelty involving hundreds of dogs and cats at the Refugio Franciscano, who allegedly suffered from inadequate food and medical care.

Furthermore, the foundation's complaint points to PAOT's alleged failure to address environmental contamination at the Barranca Echánove, a protected natural area in Cuajimalpa. It also highlights the lack of proper land-use authorization for the animal shelter operating at the Refugio Franciscano property. The foundation asserts that PAOT officials have "maliciously paralyzed administrative procedures, refusing to exercise their inspection, surveillance, and enforcement powers."

According to the foundation, this "unjustified abstention constitutes a refusal to provide public service, leaves initiated proceedings in a state of defenselessness, and violates the rule of law." The complaint also states that the PAOT Transparency Committee issued total information secrecy agreements without proper justification or reasoning, further hindering transparency and accountability in the matter.