The National Police of Panama issued an official statement this Tuesday, March 18, 2026, forcefully rejecting any involvement in the deaths of two dogs discovered inside a vehicle in the Buena Vista area of Colón Province, Panama. The incident, which has sparked significant public outcry on social media, began with a police call about a public disturbance three days prior.
According to the police report, officers from the Colón Police Zone responded to a call on the evening of March 15. The call concerned a disruption of public peace near a local baseball field. A 34-year-old citizen was present at the scene with two unleashed dogs that were reportedly frightening people and children in the area.
Police Detail Initial Encounter and Subsequent Events
Officers approached the man to issue a warning. The individual allegedly reacted with rude and disproportionate behavior, refusing to present his personal identification document. This refusal prompted the agents to request backup for his detention on charges of disturbing the peace. A verification process revealed the man was legally carrying a 9mm pistol with valid permits.
The police account states the citizen then left his vehicle and the dogs in the custody of a female companion. That companion subsequently left the location with the vehicle. The situation took a tragic turn hours later. Around 10:15 p.m., authorities received information that the same vehicle had been abandoned on the side of the road with the two dogs inside. The animals were found deceased.
“[The National Police] reiterates that its units had no contact whatsoever with the animals or with the vehicle and rejects the versions circulating on social networks that attribute responsibility to the institution.” [Translated from Spanish]
This statement was a direct response to a video circulating online that suggested police units were responsible for the dogs’ deaths. The police communication aimed to provide a clear timeline and deny the growing online allegations categorically.
Formal Complaint Filed as Public Controversy Grows
The case has generated intense debate across Panamanian social media platforms. Users have shared conflicting videos and narratives about what transpired after the initial police encounter. In response to the animals’ deaths, the dogs’ owner has taken formal legal action.
He filed a complaint with the Public Ministry (Panama), the nation’s attorney general’s office. This complaint requests an official investigation into the circumstances leading to the dogs being left in the vehicle and their subsequent demise. The move ensures the matter will be examined by an independent prosecutorial body separate from the police institution.
Public focus now shifts to the findings of that investigation. Questions remain about the actions of the owner’s companion after she departed with the vehicle and the precise cause of the animals’ deaths. The National Police maintains its position of non-involvement in the critical hours between the owner’s detention and the discovery of the vehicle.