Former Canoas Animal Welfare Secretary Charged in Illegal Euthanasia Scheme

The Public Ministry of Rio Grande do Sul indicted nine people, including former Canoas Animal Welfare Secretary Paula Lopes, for operating a scheme that performed illegal mass euthanasias of dogs and cats. The crimes occurred throughout 2025 at the city’s Centro de Bem‑Estar Animal and other facilities in Canoas and Porto Alegre. Prosecutors say Lopes, who had no veterinary training, ordered the killings without laboratory exams or medical justification and used a personal association to solicit donations for animal treatments, diverting the funds to herself and her husband.

Among the accused is a civil police officer who allegedly accessed restricted information to facilitate the operation. Police investigations identified at least 478 euthanized animals over roughly eight months, many of which could have been treated. Prosecutor Leonardo Giardin de Souza stated the conduct was “desprezível e de intensa crueldade,” urging sanctions that include loss of public office, prohibition from keeping animals, and forfeiture of assets related to the crimes.