Rio de Janeiro's Public Prosecutor's Office (MP-RJ) has charged six men, including two adolescents, with animal cruelty, illegal hunting and other offenses against a capybara on Ilha do Governador. The attack, recorded at the end of March, caused cranial trauma and severe eye injury to the animal, which is recovering. The perpetrators face up to one year in prison and a R$ 44,000 indemnity.
The incident took place at the end of March on Ilha do Governador in Rio de Janeiro's North Zone. Six men surrounded the capybara and attacked it with stones and nail-studded pieces of wood, as shown in security camera footage and videos recorded by the group itself in a mocking tone.
The assault caused cranial trauma and severe eye injury to the animal. Thrown stones also damaged parked cars nearby. Civil Police identified the suspects, who confessed during questioning, and witnesses reported it was not the first time the group targeted capybaras there.
The MP-RJ filed charges on Tuesday, April 7, accusing them of cruelty, illegal hunting, corruption of minors, and criminal association under the Environmental Crimes Law (Law 9.605/1998).
In civil proceedings, the MP sought R$ 44,000 in indemnity for material and moral damages plus veterinary care, to be allocated to the State Environmental Fund. The capybara remains in recovery.
