Brazil Supreme Court orders municipalities to protect stray dogs and cats

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruled that Brazilian municipalities must provide shelter, veterinary care and protection for abandoned or mistreated dogs and cats. The decision arose from a case involving the city of Catanduva in São Paulo and establishes a precedent that can be invoked in legal actions against other cities that neglect animal welfare. While the ruling does not create a new law, it affirms that public authorities have a constitutional duty to implement effective animal‑protection policies, such as municipal shelters, veterinary partnerships, sterilisation programmes and adoption initiatives.

In a related development in Rio Grande, the Ministry of Public Prosecution of Rio Grande do Sul (MPRS) signed a conduct‑adjustment term with the Edifício Comercial Maresias and a resident to guarantee the continued presence of Regina, a community dog known locally as “the dog of the Cassino”. The agreement recognises Regina as a community animal, obliging the condominium to allow her access to common areas and a resident to provide temporary shelter and food, provided public health and safety standards are met. The case highlights the growing legal focus on protecting community animals in Brazil.