Abstract

The recognition of animals within constitutional texts has aroused growing interest in recent years. Chile has not been the exception to this trend, which is also part of a process of profound legal changes, which have implied an improvement in protec- tion standards. In this regard, we have systematized some of the strategies that would allow the constitutionalization of animal law, highlighting their differences and assump-tions. In this respect, we distinguished between the protection mandate, the rights ap-proach, and the indirect or environmental approach. Subsequently, we analyzed how these strategies were incorporated during the first part of the Chilean constituent pro-cess, focusing on its scope and main problems. We also highlighted the influence of civil society in the articulation of the project. We point out that the Convention tried to take elements from each of these strategies, but that a longer-term discussion about the advantages or disadvantages of the different models did not precede this decision. The lack of further reflection on this point explains the normative tensions that arose from the fact of trying to support approaches whose foundations were different or even con-tradictory. We conclude this work with some proposals that allow us to overcome some of the problems identified. The study of this experience can be very useful for future constitutional amendment or change processes. © (2023), (Universidad de Chile. Centro de Derecho Ambiental). All Rights Reserved.