Animal welfare and poisoning incidents in South and Central-

Authorities in Paraguay and Ecuador are investigating various incidents involving animal deaths. In Lambaré, Paraguay, a dog died following a suspected procedure to extract its puppies; activists suggest the animal may have died from blood loss during a ritual. The National Directorate for Animal Defense, Health, and Welfare is conducting a necropsy to determine the cause of death.

In Ecuador, multiple incidents of animal poisoning have been reported. In the Paltas canton of Loja, residents reported the deaths of three puppies exhibiting symptoms such as vomiting and convulsions, following a similar event in May 2026. In Tola Grande, Quito, four dogs died after exposure to a toxic substance. Owners there claim the poisoning was an attempt to neutralize the animals during a suspected livestock theft.

In Honduras, a fatal pitbull attack in Tegucigalpa has led to the removal of the dog, named Zeus, from a residence in the Hato de Enmedio neighborhood. The attack resulted in the death of 75-year-old Alex Alfonso Maldonado Bonilla, who reportedly suffered two separate attacks. The animal will undergo a 10-day sanitary observation period to rule out rabies before being transferred to a shelter. Municipal officials noted they are not authorized to euthanize the animal, and the incident has reignited local debate regarding the enforcement of regulations prohibiting certain breeds and the national Law for the Protection and Welfare of Animals.