Two men were sentenced to prison terms for animal cruelty. The two owned a pet shop in Ituporanga, in Alto Vale do Itajaí, and were convicted after the death of at least four dogs left in the establishment for adoption.

The verdict was passed by the 2nd district court of the city. According to a complaint filed by the MPSC (Ministry of State of Santa Catarina), the clients left the animals for adoption on site, and the perpetrators deprived the animals of food and water. The actions of the defendants led to the death of four dogs tied with ropes around their necks.

Animal Cruelty – Photo: Publicity/TJSC/ND

Four carcasses and remains were found buried on a piece of land in 2018. Then the men admitted their partial responsibility for the death of two pets. They claimed that the dogs were very sick, but a third died of natural causes and a fourth was poisoned by a stranger and died on the property.

According to the OPSK, the owners of the establishment still tried to get rid of the animal remains by putting them in plastic bags and transferring them to another nearby piece of land.

The two men were sentenced to one year, nine months and seven days in jail, commuted to two restrictive rights, and a fine for animal cruelty and procedural violations. The decision is subject to appeal.