A 53-year-old woman named Eunice de Souza Ferreira has been arrested for allegedly killing a dog with an axe in Afonso Cláudio, located in the mountainous region of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The incident occurred during the Carnaval festivities on February 15, which has drawn significant outrage after a video recording of the violent act circulated on social media. Authorities are under pressure to act on the brutal nature of the crime, and as a result, Ferreira was arrested preventively on Tuesday, February 24. The local authorities have not released the footage from the incident to the public.

The arrest was carried out by the Civil Police in collaboration with the Legislative Assembly's Commission for Animal Abuse in Espírito Santo. During the investigation, evidence of a second dog being present at the crime scene was discovered, raising suspicions of possible additional animal abuse cases linked to Ferreira. The police have been searching for Ferreira and located her in Venda Nova do Imigrante, close to Afonso Cláudio, at her sister's residence.

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and cruelty in Brazil, particularly in rural areas where cases of abuse often go unnoticed. The involvement of a governmental commission addressing animal mistreatment underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this matter, as public outcry continues regarding how animals are treated in society. This case may lead to increased scrutiny and awareness of animal cruelty laws and their enforcement in Brazil.