A woman in Florianópolis was indicted for animal mistreatment after she abandoned her dog at the Rita Maria terminal on Sunday. Security cameras captured her walking with the dog on a leash before she asked a couple to watch it temporarily while she went to the bathroom, but she never returned, instead boarding a bus to Itajaí and leaving the animal behind.

The incident drew attention after going viral, prompting the Santa Catarina Civil Police's Animal Protection Division to open an investigation. They utilized security footage, witness statements, and other evidence to identify the woman. She claimed to have psychiatric issues and failed to attend her scheduled interrogation, leaving unclear the reasons for her abandonment of the dog.

This case underscores ongoing issues of animal welfare in Brazil, particularly concerning abandonment and mistreatment. The police's actions reflect a growing commitment to addressing such matters while highlighting the need for public awareness on responsible pet ownership and the repercussions of animal abandonment.