A Mérida dog owner brought Zeus to City Hall after a public dispute over an alleged attack during Mérida en Domingo. The case drew attention because of claims about whether the dog would be removed or put down. City staff instead took Zeus to a veterinary evaluation, while a separate complaint about the alleged bite remains with state prosecutors. The case now sits between municipal animal-welfare rules and a state-level investigation.
Owner brings Zeus to City Hall after alleged dog attack
A Mérida resident turned over his dog, Zeus, to municipal animal-welfare staff on Wednesday after an alleged attack involving another dog during Mérida en Domingo.
The owner, Erik Sánchez, known as Kiko, went to City Hall during the city’s Miércoles Ciudadano program. He brought Zeus after saying that municipal staff had visited his home the previous day to request the dog.
Sánchez said he believed the animal was being sought because officials considered him aggressive and wanted him euthanized. Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada said the city would not take Zeus for that purpose.
Municipal staff instead took Zeus for veterinary evaluation and care.
City says case includes animal-welfare review
The city’s animal-welfare staff took Zeus through the Unidad de Protección Animal, which works under Mérida’s municipal animal-welfare structure.
Officials said the municipal side of the case would focus on Zeus’s condition and on the reported failure to keep the dog on a leash. Mérida rules require dogs in public areas to be secured with a chain, leash, cord, and collar.
The city also said Zeus would receive attention because he was allegedly kicked during the incident by the person connected to the affected dog.
The municipal review does not settle the alleged attack complaint.
Prosecutors handling alleged bite complaint
The alleged bite involving another dog is being handled separately by the Fiscalía General del Estado.
According to municipal information, the guardian of the affected animal filed a complaint with state prosecutors. That keeps the alleged attack complaint outside the city’s direct animal-welfare review.
The case began after the reported incident during Mérida en Domingo on Sunday. Municipal personnel allegedly went to Sánchez’s home on Tuesday. Sánchez then appeared at City Hall on Wednesday with Zeus.
The next steps have not been publicly detailed.
