Animals who suffer abuse deserve to get proper justice - but that's often difficult in a court of law. However, in Brazil,
a dog just successfully sued its cruel previous owner and won the case! This has set an important precedent in Brazil for protecting animal rights.
Now other countries, including the United States, must pass laws to allow pets to advocate for their well-being in this way, too.Little Tokinho the dog was with his owner one day when
the man suddenly began beating the frightened, shivering animal with a stick. Nearby security cameras caught the whole violent assault on video, leading police to arrest the man for his abusive behavior.
That's when things became a bit more unusual. A local animal rights organization, Fauna Group for the Protection of Animals, took the little animal in and helped adopt him out to a new, loving family. But they didn't stop there. Their lawyers also decided to represent Tokinho in a court of law, suing his former owner on his behalf.
And luckily, the Brazilian court system decided to accept the case.
As of now, the dog's prior owner decided to accept a plea bargain to avoid going to trial, in order to escape years in prison. He has agreed to pay Tokinho approximately $400, which can go towards veterinary bills and other expenses that will help his new family properly take care of him.
Sadly, of course we know that animal abuse happens all over the world. But because pets can't talk, they usually don't have any way to advocate for themselves.
More countries - including the United States - need to rectify this inequality by allowing lawyers to take on pets as clients and bring their animal welfare cases to court! Sign the petition to demand justice for abused animals!