A female dog and a cat were rescued this Thursday, the 1st, after being found in a situation of mistreatment and abandonment in a house located in the Aterrado neighborhood of Volta Redonda, in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The incident occurred on Avenida Sete de Setembro.
The rescue was conducted by the Municipal Secretariat for Animal Protection and Defense (SMPDA), in collaboration with the Municipal Guard, through the Animal Protection Patrol.
According to the Volta Redonda City Hall, the intervention was motivated by complaints made by residents. These residents reported that the animals were confined inside the property and that no barking or meowing had been heard since last Saturday, the 26th.
The municipal body informed that the residence was completely closed, lacking proper ventilation and presenting a strong odor of urine and feces. Initially, the teams could not access the house, requiring the support of the Municipal Guard to ensure entry to the location.
During the inspection, it was found that the female dog was trapped in a small space, while the cat remained locked in one of the rooms. Both animals were deprived of water and food, living in unsanitary conditions and showing skin problems.
The secretariat estimates that the animals might have been abandoned in the property for approximately fifteen days.
After the rescue, the animals were taken to receive veterinary care and evaluation. Subsequently, they will be directed to responsible adoption programs.
The city hall also clarified that no person responsible for the pets was found at the property during the inspection. According to information gathered by the agents, the former owner of the house had passed away, and the person currently residing there is from Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro.
Although the resident's son was responsible for caring for the animals, no one appeared at the residence since Saturday, the 26th, to provide food or assistance to the animals.
The case was formally registered as animal cruelty in the Volta Redonda police station, and the Civil Police is conducting the investigation.