What Happened
Two American Bully dogs, named Shiroishi and Gunner, died after being left inside a vehicle in Colón on Sunday, March 15, following the detention of their owner, Josué Alarcón. According to Alarcón, the dogs were taken from a playground area in Buena Vista and left in a car outside the local police station for several hours; he says he repeatedly asked to check on them before learning they had died.
Owner’s Account
Alarcón told La Prensa that the incident began near 6:00 p.m. when he visited a playground and families approached to pet and ask about the dogs. He said officers only became involved after another man allegedly intoxicated and disruptive at the site was detained. Alarcón says a police supervisor later told him the dogs needed to be leashed; he replied he did not have a leash and that the animals were calm and trained.
He described being handcuffed after an officer deployed pepper spray and being taken to the station. He also said he informed police that he carried a licensed firearm. Alarcón says the dogs were transported to the station by a woman who had been at the playground and offered to take them in her car; they remained in that vehicle parked outside the station for hours. When he was finally allowed to see them, they were already dead. He remained detained until midnight and says he was not told the reason for his arrest beyond signing a release form.
Police Response
The National Police offered a conflicting timeline. Director Jaime Fernández said the institution has evidence that has not been discussed on social media and insisted the police “do not have responsibility in the events” and that officers respect animal rights. In an official communiqué the force stated the vehicle was found parked “at the edge of a road” around 10:00 p.m., that their units had no contact with the animals or the car, and rejected versions circulating on social platforms that blamed the institution.
Legal Context
Panama’s Law 70 of 2020 on animal welfare establishes measures to prevent and punish cruelty and abandonment. The law requires dog and cat owners to identify animals with tags that include the pet’s name and the owner’s phone number. Violations can carry fines from B/.100 to B/.500 and community service; the law also allows for rescue and temporary transfer of animals to shelters or protection groups.
What This Means
The deaths have prompted public debate on social media and conflicting official and private accounts have left unanswered questions. Authorities have said they will present evidence as part of an investigation; the case highlights tensions around animal welfare enforcement and police procedures in Colón as the inquiry proceeds.