Police in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, arrested six man y of teenagers that with iron bars and pieces of wood They brutally attacked a capybara on the outskirts of Quebra Coco, northern area of the city.
The incident occurred around 1:19 in the morning on March 21 and was recorded by security cameras in the area. In the images, released by the animal rescue organization Nas Garras da Lei, you can see how the group chases the animal, locks it up and beats it.
After the complaint from the residents of the area, who provided the images, police officers 37.ª Governor’s Island police station They were able to identify the suspects. They were arrested this morning in the Guarabu region, according to the media G1.
«It’s about a brutal crime that shocks society. «We have verified that the animal was in the place without posing any risk to third parties and, even so, it was deliberately attacked,» declared the commissioner. Felipe Santorohead of the 37th Police Station.
Commissioner Santoro described the incident as «an act of extreme cruelty» against an animal that «posed no threat.» «Those involved were waiting for the presence of the animal to carry out the attack until death. There were eight people against a completely defenseless animal,» he said.
Health status of the capybara and its transfer to the veterinary center
Shortly after 12:30 noon, The capybara was captured by the Environmental Patrol and transferred to the Vargem Grande Veterinary Centerwhere he received specialized care. According to the team, it is a 64-kilogram adult male.
The capybara is currently sedated in a serious health condition product of head trauma who suffered after the attack, according to the local government’s Animal Defense Commission.
The six adults are detained at the 37th police station accused of abuse, illicit association and corruption of minorswhile an investigation is carried out.
The adolescents, meanwhile, were transferred to the General Department of Socio-educational Actions (Degase), where they will receive offenses for animal abuse.
In the Guanabara Garden, Governor Island – where the attack occurred -, It is common to see capybaras move around urban areas, since the semi-aquatic mammal is an emblem of Brazilian fauna.
The capybara is protected by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and by Brazilian legislation as native wildlife. It is prohibited to hunt, injure, capture or keep capybaras as pets without legal authorization. Irregular breeding, transportation or marketing entails fines and sanctions, detailed Nas Garras da Lei.
