More than 40 animals were rescued in Quilmes Oeste, following a neighborhood complaint that led to the raid of a Umbanda temple. Chickens, pigs, goats, and sheep were crowded, without care or food, waiting to be sacrificed as part of a religious ceremony.
The operation took place in a house located at Bernardo de Irigoyen 1100, meters from the Sanatorio Trinidad. The intervention was led by the Prosecutor’s Office No. 4, the Municipal Zoonosis Subsecretariat, protectionists, and the Fundación Planeta Vivo.
The rescue operation
Pamela Dreher, Subsecretary of Zoonosis, and protectionist Fernando Pieroni led the procedure. According to Pieroni:
“More than 40 animals were rescued from a residence where they awaited a slow and painful death as part of a religious ceremony. The rescue took place during the ceremony, with more than 50 people present, including children who were going to witness the slaughter.”
The animals were relocated and placed in safe transit, receiving veterinary care and support after their suffering.
Charges and legal framework
The individuals involved were charged with animal abuse. However, Pieroni warned that current laws do not provide for effective prison sentences for these cases, which limits penalties. Nonetheless, he emphasized the importance of reporting:
“Getting involved saves lives. Silence is also part of the problem.”
Religious controversy
The Umbanda priest Gilliard De Ogum responded to the scandal on social media, defending his faith and calling for respect:
- He stated that the Umbanda religion is based on “love, charity, and faith.”
- He compared animal sacrifices to historical practices present in religious texts.
- He argued that if a ritual with farm animals is questioned, the existence of slaughterhouses for human consumption should also be questioned.
Importance of equine and animal rescue in Argentina
This case adds to a broader issue: the rescue of animals in situations of abuse, abandonment, or exploitation.
- Public safety: prevents accidents and health risks.
- Animal welfare: saves the lives of animals subjected to extreme suffering.
- Community commitment: requires citizen reports and joint action by NGOs and municipalities.
- Historical cases: such as the rescue of more than 700 horses in Buenos Aires in 2019, which set a legal precedent against abuse.
The rescue in Quilmes highlights the need to strengthen animal protection laws and coordinate efforts among neighbors, institutions, and organizations. Transforming a practice of violence into a public policy of animal welfare and conservation is key to ensuring better living conditions and promoting a more conscious and respectful society.
