Ecuador lets pets witness civil weddings

Ecuador is allowing couples to include pets as symbolic witnesses at civil weddings, with more than 50 couples choosing to marry in front of their dogs and cats since May.

At a ceremony in Quito, Diana Tupiza and Andres Alquinga brought Luna, their Pekingese dog, who placed a paw print on the couple's marriage certificate. The paw print has sentimental value but no legal standing; human witnesses still sign the official document.

Otton Rivadeneira, director of Ecuador's Civil Registry, said the policy reflects changing family structures and “current, modern needs.”

Ecuador's latest census found that, among its 19 million people, nearly 7.6 million have dogs and cats as pets, almost double the number of children aged 12 and under.

Elsewhere in Latin America, only human witnesses are generally allowed, although Argentina and Mexico have made a few exceptions.