Rio Carnival's Canine Street Party: Dogs Parade as Owners Protest Pet Cruelty
Dozens of dogs dressed as alligators, fairies, and superheroes gathered at a Rio de Janeiro Carnival street party on Saturday, as their owners staged a protest against cruelty towards pets. The event, known as Blocao, saw canines wagging their tails to samba music, enjoying a delicious breakfast from bowls, and making new friends amidst the festive atmosphere of Brazil's biggest celebration.
A Joyful Gathering for Pets and Owners
Approximately 300 people and their pets assembled in the Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on Rio's west side. They sang and danced to traditional Carnival songs while ensuring their dogs' paws were protected in the shade, as temperatures soared to 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). Marco Antonio Marinho, the 72-year-old chief organizer of Blocao, emphasized the familial bond with pets, stating, "Dogs are a part of our families. Families come to a street party for dogs because it's sweet, it is joyful and loving." He added, "When we are sad at home, they are by our side, they are sad too. Now that we are happy, they have to be happy too. So we take care of their paws, we keep water for them to be comfortable and safe."
Safety Measures and Community Support
A hydration station was set up to maintain the dogs' energy during the two-hour celebration at a local square. Many cariocas, as Rio residents are known, honked their car horns to show support for the dogs and the owners protesting violence against pets. In previous years, dogs would parade through the streets, but their paws were often scorched by the hot pavement. The name Blocao combines "bloco," meaning Carnival street party, and "cao," the Portuguese word for dog, with the event having been held for over two decades.
Tribute to Orelha and Calls for Justice
Marinho and other attendees waved white ribbons and sang a song in tribute to Orelha, a dog killed in southern Brazil in January, a case that sparked national outrage. Santa Catarina state police charged a 15-year-old who allegedly spanked the dog to death, with authorities recommending the teenager be tried under the juvenile corrections system. The judge has yet to rule on the case, and the teenager's lawyer has denied any wrongdoing.
Natalia Reis, 28, attended Blocao for the first time with her 11-year-old dog Theo, partly motivated by Orelha's killing. She became emotional when organizers discussed the importance of protecting pets from cruelty, saying, "This was so unfortunate, we need perpetrators of his death to be punished. We need to raise awareness. This could have happened to me, to any of us."
