A 19-year-old man was arrested and two teenagers apprehended in Itajaí, located in the North Coast region of Santa Catarina, Brazil, after the discovery of a dead dog, prompting an investigation for animal mistreatment by local authorities. The incident occurred on October 12, with the police confirming that a second dog was also mistreated but managed to escape after being freed by a local resident.

Initial reports indicated that four adolescents were possibly involved in the incident, with witnesses claiming that the group thrown one of the dogs into a river before taking it to an abandoned building. The situation escalated to the involvement of the civil police, who are diligently working to identify a potential fourth suspect through analyses of recovered cell phone data and surveillance camera footage from the area.

This case has garnered attention as it highlights issues surrounding animal cruelty in Brazil, sparking outrage amongst locals and animal protection advocates. As the investigation unfolds, it raises awareness about the importance of safeguarding animal rights and implementing stricter measures against cruelty in both urban and rural areas of the country.