In a deeply disturbing incident, a 14-year-old teenage boy in Brazil recorded himself throwing live puppies into a furnace, sparking outrage after the footage went viral. The horrifying act took place in Vidal Ramos, a city in the southern state of Santa Catarina, according to a report by the Daily Mail.
Footage shows the heinous act
In the video, the teenager is seen standing by an open furnace door as he reaches into a bag containing several small puppies. In a heart-wrenching sequence, the boy counts at least seven puppies before tossing each one into the flames, as the animals scream in agony. The boy reportedly shared the video with friends via WhatsApp, further intensifying the shock and horror surrounding the incident.
Police launch investigation
On October 17, after the video went viral, local authorities were alerted to the brutal act. Santa Catarina police responded swiftly by dispatching officers to the teenager’s home.
Police Captain Armo Senem told CNN Brasil, “The father was working at the time the police arrived at the scene.” Senem explained that, because the video was recorded earlier, there was no immediate physical evidence of the incident. However, a formal report was filed with the Civil Police. Authorities are investigating whether the teenager acted alone or was influenced by someone else.
Legal challenges due to the teen’s age
Due to the boy’s age—he is under 18—Brazilian law prevents authorities from arresting and charging him with a crime. However, the teenager may face socio-educational measures under the Child and Adolescent Statute, which governs the legal treatment of minors between the ages of 12 and 18 in Brazil. The case has sparked public outrage, highlighting the need for stronger measures to combat animal cruelty and hold perpetrators accountable, regardless of their age.