A 36-year-old vet has died after a Belgian Malinois police dog savaged her neck while she was feeding it, leaving her bleeding alone for several minutes before anyone found her.
Vitoria Valle de Oliveira Pinha suffered a catastrophic wound to her neck when the dog attacked her at the Brazilian Senate's kennels in Brasília on 18 August.
The Belgian Malinois is a widely used working breed commonly employed by police and military units because of its speed, trainability and ability to carry out demanding tasks.
Vitoria was reportedly giving food to the animal when it bit her in the neck, causing severe bleeding and a cardiac arrest.
She was left lying injured and bleeding for several minutes before a legislative police officer discovered her and began giving first aid.
An ambulance was called and Vitoria was rushed to the Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal, where she underwent emergency surgery.
She remained in a critical condition but died on 22 August, four days after the attack.
The Senate confirmed her death in a statement, saying: “The Senate Federal laments the death of Vitoria Valle de Oliveira Pinha, who worked as an animal handler in the House's Canine Service.”
It added: “At this moment of grief, the Senate expresses its solidarity with Vitoria's family, friends and colleagues, who will remember her for the dedication with which she always carried out her activities.”
Vitoria had previously worked at the Senate as a veterinary medicine intern between 2022 and 2024 before returning as a contracted professional caring for its animals.
The Belgian Malinois involved belonged to the Senate's Canine Service, which trains dogs used by the Legislative Police for patrol and policing duties.
The dogs are also trained to detect illegal substances, explosives and firearms and can support searches, seizures and other police operations.
Following the attack, the dog was removed from operational duties and placed under observation while undergoing clinical examinations and specialist assessments.
The Senate said the results were still being awaited and no decision had yet been made about what would happen to the animal.
Brazil's Federal District Civil Police opened an investigation into the attack and carried out a forensic examination of the kennel.
The Legislative Servants' Union, Sindilegis, also mourned Vitoria, saying she died “after the episode that occurred at the Federal Senate kennel, during the exercise of her professional activities.”
The union added: “Vitoria worked as a veterinary medicine intern at the institution from 2022 to 2024 and later returned to the institution as a contracted professional, providing services related to animal care.”
Sindilegis expressed its solidarity with her family, friends and colleagues and said it was available to support her family.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
