In Imperatriz, Maranhão, a man, still unidentified, was captured on security cameras running over and killing the dog of his ex-girlfriend's family. The incident occurred last Sunday, and witnesses suggest that the man's true intention was to hurt his ex-girlfriend, with whom he had ended a relationship four months prior. Following the attack, the ex-girlfriend sought urgent protective measures against him, indicating the severe emotional toll the situation has had on her.

According to Gabriela Barbosa Bonfim, the director of the Casa da Mulher Maranhense in Imperatriz, the victim filed a police report against her ex-boyfriend the following Monday. She shared that they had dated for two months and the man had been struggling with the breakup. The incident escalated after the ex-girlfriend attended a local party on the night of the attack, during which the suspect was reportedly stalking her.

This case highlights a troubling trend of violence against women and their families in Brazil, often manifesting in extreme ways, such as the attack on the family pet. As a response to this incident, authorities and women’s advocacy groups may further address the ongoing issues of domestic violence and the need for heightened protective measures for victims, especially in cases where perpetrators display obsessive or violent behaviors after a relationship has ended.