06/15/2024 – 18:13
The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro is investigating whether the use of the herbicide glyphosate caused poisoning in around 40 animals last week in the Oceânica neighborhood, in Barra da Tijuca, west of the capital of Rio de Janeiro. Police say at least seven dogs died. One of them was by actor Cauã Reymond.
Investigators from the Environmental Police Department (DDMA) identified a caretaker who allegedly applied the herbicide, popularly known as ‘mato-killer’, on the lawns of the courtyard of a condominium in the region. The herbicide is widely used in agriculture to control weeds, but can only be used in low concentrations in environments not subject to control.
After listening to around ten people, including residents and employees of buildings in the region, last Tuesday, the 11th, the police received a report from a resident who had seen the caretaker applying the herbicide with a spray bottle.
The man was identified and the equipment was seized for forensic examination. The caretaker was interviewed and released. The police are awaiting the expert report to confirm which substance was used in the spraying.
Cauã Reymond’s dog was a victim
The dogs began showing symptoms of poisoning, such as excessive salivation and vomiting, just over a week ago. At least seven dogs died due to poisoning, including actor Cauã Reymond’s dog Romeu. The actor used his social media to say that his dog Shakira had also shown symptoms of poisoning.
The case reached the Animal Rights Commission of the Rio City Council and mobilized the police. A team went to the location, took samples of the animals and collected camera images. On the 8th, Comlurb, a municipal cleaning company, cleaned and washed sidewalks and flowerbeds in an attempt to remove possible poisons or chemicals that could be causing poisoning.
Glyphosate is the active ingredient in one of the most used pesticides in Brazil. In 2020, Anvisa reevaluated glyphosate and concluded to maintain the use of the agrochemical in Brazil, with the adoption of restrictions aimed at mitigating the identified risks.
The use was authorized for agriculture, in specific crops that are resistant to the active ingredient, and eucalyptus reforestation, as well as for weed control on highways and construction of firebreaks. It can also be used in amateur gardening, but with a concentration of only 1%. The reporter contacted Anvisa and is awaiting a response.
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