Councilor Ousted After Fatal Dog Incident
A local politician in Argentina has lost his position after a neighborhood dispute ended tragically. The controversial event involved the death of a pet dog, sparking outrage and leading to the councilor’s removal from office.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
The deliberative council of Colonia Elisa, in the Chaco province, voted to dismiss councilor Fernando Romero. The decision followed an investigation into the death of a neighbor’s Pitbull dog. The council deemed Romero’s actions as “animal abuse,” behavior deemed incompatible with his public role and institutional decorum.
The councilor faced accusations stemming from the death of “Roco,” a Pitbull. The dog’s owner, MSE, a 29-year-old rural worker, filed a police complaint. Romero admitted to harming the dog, yet accounts of what happened diverge.
“My dog killed.”
—Neighbor MSE, Dog Owner
On May 14, at approximately 9 p.m., the event occurred. According to MSE’s statement, he heard barking while showering. His 9-year-old daughter saw “Roco” with wounds on his body, apparently caused by a knife, and the dog subsequently died.
Conflicting Accounts
The victim, who reported Roco had wounds on his side, says the dog was attacked by another dog. Romero, giving his version, explained this kind of incidents were regular. However, the last fight was the most serious.
Romero claimed he found the dogs fighting. He stated he tried to separate them. After failing to do so, he struck Roco. The councilor said he acted in defense of his daughter and his dog. Animal abuse cases are on the rise, with a 20% increase in reported incidents over the past year (Animal Rights Organization, 2024).
“For what Romero says, It seems that I am the bad and my dog a violent animal, but it is the opposite.”
—MSE, Dog Owner
The Outcome
Despite the controversy and ongoing legal proceedings, Romero will relinquish his councilor position. The Deliberative Council plans to install a replacement next week.
