A beloved Shih Tzu has died after allegedly being abducted, brutally abused and abandoned in a sack near a ravine in Colombia, leaving her family devastated. Luna, a female Shih Tzu, was discovered in a critical condition several days ago in a rural part of San Roque, Antioquia, and her ordeal has since sparked widespread anger across the community.
Abduction and Abuse
According to local reports, Luna had been abducted before allegedly being beaten and sexually abused. She was reportedly put inside a sack and abandoned near a ravine. The badly injured dog was rescued and taken to a veterinary clinic in nearby Barbosa, where vets found she had suffered a spinal injury consistent with the severe mistreatment.
Death and Community Reaction
Luna remained under veterinary care for several days, but her condition was too serious and she died on the afternoon of August 26. Medellín councillor and animal welfare campaigner Juan Jiménez Lara publicly condemned what had happened. “We demand justice for Luna, a dog who was abducted and mistreated; furthermore, she was stuffed into a sack and left to her fate in a ravine in San Roque, Antioquia,” he said.
Luna's family also took to social media to describe the emotional impact of the incident and call for people to share her story. “Today, I want people to share this so the world sees the gravity of what society faces every day; today, our dog was harmed, and this has taken an emotional toll on my family, myself and Luna,” they said.
Mayor's Response and New Legislation
San Roque mayor Luis Alejandro Villegas said the case had caused pain and outrage, promising that authorities would be supported in their investigation. He said: “As mayor, but also as a citizen and an animal lover, I wish to express my deep indignation and solidarity regarding the reprehensible case of mistreatment and alleged sexual abuse committed against Luna; an incident that has caused pain, outrage, and condemnation throughout our community.” He urged anyone with information to come forward while warning residents against taking matters into their own hands.
“At the same time, I call upon all citizens: let us not take justice into our own hands. The outrage we feel is legitimate, but we must allow the authorities to conduct the investigation and determine accountability,” he added. The case comes days after Colombia brought into force new legislation criminalising sexual abuse of animals. Senator Esmeralda Hernández, who sponsored the legislation, said: “This means that our law penalising bestiality is now in effect. In other words, the Penal Code introduces a new criminal offense: carnal access to animals. It is the only crime against animals in Colombia that carries a mandatory prison sentence.”
Under the new law, those convicted of sexual acts involving animals can face between 48 and 55 months in prison, as well as fines and restrictions on owning or working with animals. Mayor Villegas added: “Luna deserves justice. And our community deserves answers.”
