An influencer who portrayed himself on social media as an animal lover was reported for animal abuse after being recorded brutally beating his dogs in Miguel Lillo Park, in Necochea.
The incident was captured by the cameras of the Municipal Monitoring Operations Center (COM). The video shows the accused punching, kicking, and whipping his pets with the leash, despite sharing messages of supposed love for them on his Instagram profile.
The Criminal Complaint
Local authorities released the images and filed a complaint for violation of the National Law 14.346, which penalizes abuse and animal cruelty. It will now be up to the justice system to determine the appropriate sanction.
The dissemination of the case provoked social rejection and mobilized protection organizations, which called for a march in front of the prosecutor’s office to demand “the maximum penalty” against the accused. After the video became known, the man closed all his social media accounts.
What Law 14.346 Says
The national regulation protects all animals and considers actions such as:
- Not providing enough food or water.
- Whipping or causing pain with punishment instruments.
- Making them work excessively without rest.
- Mutilating body parts without sanitary justification.
- Operating on them without anesthesia.
- Using drugs without medical purposes.
The penalties range from 15 days to 1 year in prison.
Local Fines and Sanctions
In the City of Buenos Aires, in addition to the national law, there are complementary sanctions:
- Fines of up to $8,000,000 for irresponsible owners.
- Fines of up to $5,400,000 for dog walkers.
- Public registry of abusers, preventing them from living or working with animals.
How to Report Animal Abuse Cases
Animal abuse is a criminal offense, and anyone can report it for free:
- Police Station: file the report at the nearest one.
- Prosecutor’s Office or UFI: if the police do not take the report, go to the Functional Unit of Instruction.
- Court: it can also be filed there.
- Useful Phones: call 911 or 0800-333-47225 (FISCAL), line of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in CABA.
The case of the influencer from Necochea exposes the contradiction between public image and the reality of animal abuse.
The criminal complaint and social mobilization reinforce the importance of enforcing Law 14.346 and promoting a culture of respect towards animals. Justice must set a clear precedent to prevent these episodes from recurring.
