A report from Telenoche about the animal control system in Pehuajó, Buenos Aires province, generated a strong reaction and reopened the debate on the municipal management model. Residents and animal advocates reported that municipal brigades capture dogs —with or without owners— and transport them to a shelter in critical conditions.
Journalist Darío Lopreite described the situation as a “horror” and showed municipal trucks patrolling the city all day to load the animals.
Heartbreaking Testimonies
One of the most impactful accounts was from a resident who lost her pet after it was captured:
“My dog was picked up on April 15, and when I looked for him two days later, they told me he had died after being attacked by other dogs in the kennel.”
Other residents reported that the animals remain crowded, without enough food, and exposed to attacks among themselves. According to Lopreite, 5,000 pesos are paid for each captured dog, which incentivizes the practice.
Conflicting Views
- Residents and animal advocates: describe the place as a “concentration camp” and question the lack of sanitary controls.
- Organization Pehuellitas: denied the accusations and assured that there is no mistreatment or abandonment within the shelter.
- Nelson Castro: criticized the municipal procedure and described the place as “horrible, lamentable.”
Legal and Operational Framework
The municipality has an ordinance aimed at reducing the presence of stray dogs in public areas and promoting spaying and neutering. However, the implementation of the capture system has generated strong social rejection due to its methods and results.
The trucks used for the operation have become a symbol of fear among residents. According to the report, they circulate all day and pick up both stray dogs and pets with owners.
Underlying Issues
The situation in Pehuajó reflects a broader conflict on how to manage responsible pet ownership and dog population control in Argentina:
- Indiscriminate capture: generates fear among owners and ethical questions.
- Precarious shelters: without adequate infrastructure, animals suffer from overcrowding and violence.
- Lack of comprehensive policies: capture is prioritized over education, mass spaying and neutering, and responsible adoption.
Social and Ethical Impact
The case also exposes the tension between the need to control the canine population and respect for animal rights. Residents report that the current system prioritizes speed and economic benefit over animal welfare.
The dissemination of the report generated outrage on social media and opened a debate about the responsibility of municipalities to ensure dignified conditions for captured animals.
The Pehuajó case highlights the urgent need to review animal control systems in municipalities. The protection of dogs cannot be based on indiscriminate capture operations or shelters without minimum conditions.
The solution lies in comprehensive policies that include spaying and neutering, awareness campaigns, and support for community shelters.
