Feb 10 • 11:36 UTC 🇧🇷 Brazil G1 (PT)

Dog Orelha: girl in video with teenager on the day of the assaults receives threats after image is released out of context, says defense

A teenage girl featured in a video alongside a suspect in the brutal death of a community dog has faced online threats after a misleading image was circulated.

The article reports on a troubling situation involving a teenage girl who was featured in a video released by the Civil Police of Brazil in connection with the investigation into the death of a community dog named Orelha in Praia Brava, Florianópolis. The image, which was presented during the police briefing, showed her next to the young man allegedly responsible for the dog's death, leading to public speculation and significant backlash that the girl had witnessed the event. However, the police clarified that the video was taken an hour after the attack, and they utilized it merely for illustrative purposes.

Following the circulation of the image, the girl and her family have reportedly faced severe online harassment, as many accused her of being complicit in the violence against the dog. The girl's defense attorney, Alessandro Marcelo de Sousa, emphasized the misinformation, pointing out that the girl is only 16, despite rumors claiming she was 19, and that she had not witnessed the act at all. The incident highlights the dangers of misunderstanding context in media representations and the repercussions that can ensue based on misleading information.

This case raises broader concerns about the treatment of minors in media coverage, issues surrounding digital harassment, and the social responsibility of news outlets when presenting such sensitive information. The community's reaction and the serious threats faced by the girl also underline the potential harm caused by social media, especially against young individuals who become entangled in controversial situations without any real involvement in the wrongdoing.

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