Santa Catarina's Public Prosecutor's Office identified inconsistencies and gaps in police reports on the death of dog Orelha in Florianópolis and will request additional investigations. Police concluded the inquiry on February 3, indicting one teenager and seeking his internment, but the MP calls for further scrutiny of other suspects' involvement and possible coercions. The case reignited national debate on reducing the age of criminal majority.
The death of dog Orelha, occurring in the early morning of January 4 on Praia Brava in Florianópolis, generated widespread repercussion and reignited discussions on reducing the age of criminal majority in Brazil. Police concluded the inquiry on February 3, indicting one of four investigated teenagers and seeking his internment, while the others were excluded from the report. However, Santa Catarina's Public Prosecutor's Office announced on February 6 that it identified 'inconsistencies' and 'gaps' in the documents, demanding a more precise reconstruction of events.
The 10th Prosecutor's Office of the Capital, responsible for Youth and Childhood, pointed out flaws in assessing the youths' involvement in acts analogous to animal cruelty. Of the four suspects, only one was formally accused initially, but the MP questions the link between the animal assault and alleged coercions by adult relatives against a condominium doorman. Forensic reports indicate Orelha suffered a blunt blow to the head, possibly from a kick or object, around 5:30 a.m., corroborated by video of a suspect leaving and returning to the condominium.
The case sparked 'virtual lynching' on social media, with disclosure of names and photos of the teenagers, violating the law, and affecting innocents. Defenses claim influence of misinformation and deny flight intentions, such as rumors of sending the indictee to Australia. Activists demand federalization, but delegate Ulisses Gabriel refuted it, citing no judicial omission or grave human rights violations.
The episode fueled divergent opinions on penal majority. Deputy Mendonça Filho (União Brasil-PE), rapporteur of PEC for referendum in 2028, supports reduction to 16 years, arguing impunity encourages crimes and citing cases like Suzano and Aracruz. Lawyer Ariane de Souza from OAB counters that socio-educational measures are more effective, with 20% recidivism at Fundação Casa versus 41% in adult prisons, and warns of unconstitutionality.
CNJ data show 12,000 adolescents in deprivation of liberty, less than 1% of 28 million in the age group, with a reduction in internees over 10 years due to inclusion policies. Experts emphasize youth are more victims than perpetrators of crimes, and state and social failures contribute to delinquency.
