The rodents wandered into the Cuiaba legislative building from a nearby park
Lawmakers attending a voting session at a legislative building in the Brazilian city of Cuiaba were joined by some unexpected companions in the form of a couple of capybaras, reported The Associated Press.
On July 30, the rodents wandered in the front door of the building from a nearby park inhabited by wildlife. Staffer Nayara Bueno captured the crashers on video as she herded them out of the room.
The Mato Grosso state legislature was not damaged during the capybaras’ visit, which consisted of the animals exploring the area calmly before they went back out onto the street.
“They show up here quite often, so we’ve gotten used to seeing them,” Bueno said in a statement published by AP News.
The South American rodents are regarded as the largest rodents in the world and can weigh as much as 175 pounds. The semi-aquatic animals typically reside near water in groups and are highly social creatures known for their relaxed disposition.
This is not the first instance of animals making the legal scene in Brazil. In 2019, a stray cat frequenting the reception area at the building housing the Order of Attorneys of Brazil was designated Dr Leon Advogato and became an official employee of the OAB building tasked with welcoming newcomers. Advogato had initially entered the building to escape the rain and went on to charm visitors as well as those working in the building – including his employer, then-OAB president Auriney Brito.
Advogato got his own Instagram account, which at one point logged over 70,000 followers. He also inspired the establishment of Instituto Dr Leon, a not-for-profit concentrating on animal welfare, after he was discovered to have vocal cord issues resulting from a rough kittenhood.
Last year, Brazil implemented a nationwide ban on cosmetic tattoos and piercings for dogs and cats. The country has also been praised for its strong animal protection laws, with acts of cruelty against dogs and cats being considered serious federal crimes.
In 2020, Brazil passed the Sansão Law (Lei Sansão) in response to the brutality experienced by a dog named Sansão. Those who violate the Sansão Law could be jailed for up to five years, be heavily fined, and be banned from owning animals henceforth.
In 2018, the Superior Court of Justice of Brazil recognized pets as sentient by deciding that they should not be considered property.
