Local residents told Firefighters officers that they have seen a group of youngsters shooting BB guns “at everything in the San José de Atenas neighborhood.”

The new law introduces prison sentences ranging from three months to one year for those found guilty of killing a domestic or a domesticated animal, and a series of monetary fines for animal cruelty.

Legislative President Gonzalo Ramírez said lawmakers hope to hold the second and definitive vote 10 days after the bill’s publication in La Gaceta, in order to allow consultations from animal rights groups.

A traditional Good Friday celebration resulted in the death of a crocodile in a Guanacaste town.

Although killing the bull is not allowed in Costa Rica-style bullfights, animal rights advocates claim bulls are subjected to cruel abuse.

Grecia is now on public display for visitors of ZooAve animal shelter in La Garita, Alajuela. The famous toucan may soon have a partner.

A new Discovery Networks documentary tells the story of the Costa Rican toucan whose savagely mutilated beak was replaced with a prosthetic one, and how it inspired a nation to push for better treatment of animals.

Several recent cases of dog abuse, including that of Duke, who suffered major damage to his muzzle in an apparent machete attack, have renewed calls for harsher punishment for those who maim or kill animals.

Animal rights groups in July will begin collecting signatures across the country to approve a referendum in which citizens would vote on an animal welfare bill imposing stricter sanctions for animal cruelty.

A bill that seeks to establish prison time for animal abuse faces an uncertain future after several lawmakers filibustered voting on the law last week by filing over 70 motions against it.