Rio Preto Pitbull Owner Investigated After Dog Attacks

Police in Rio Preto, Brazil, opened an investigation into a 20‑year‑old woman who owned three pitbulls suspected of attacking and killing neighborhood dogs. The animals, an adult pitbull and two puppies, were linked to multiple incidents in the Parque das Amoras II district, resulting in at least two canine deaths within a week. The latest fatal attack occurred on Friday, when a 32‑year‑old engineer’s dog died from its injuries.

Authorities questioned the owner about the dogs’ repeated escapes and noted that a fourth pitbull, a female given to the owner’s mother‑in‑law, also fled and returned injured. Residents reported that after the second dog death, one neighbor asked her son to keep the three pitbulls at his home. The case is being treated as possible negligence in animal custody, and the Civil Police will determine any criminal liability.

The investigation involves the Municipal Animal Welfare Secretariat, which is monitoring the situation, and the Military Police, which responded to the latest incident.