Florianópolis Police Raid 'Farra do Boi' Suspects in Coastal Community

Civil and Environmental Military Police in Florianópolis launched an operation on Thursday, May 16th, targeting individuals suspected of participating in 'farra do boi,' a practice considered a crime. Due to the isolated nature of the Costa da Lagoa, a traditional fishing community, officers utilized boats to serve eight search and seizure warrants in the area, with a total of nine warrants issued across the city. The operation is a continuation of an earlier action in May that investigated a 'farra do boi' event from early 2026. During the recent raid, authorities seized cell phones, documents, and unregistered birds. The confiscated avian species will undergo analysis to ensure compliance with environmental laws, as they lacked proper identification bands and are considered wild animals. These birds are being sent to a Wildlife Rehabilitation Center to assess their suitability for reintroduction into their natural habitat. The 'farra do boi' ritual, introduced by Azorean immigrants, involves releasing a bull in an enclosed area surrounded by people who provoke the animal until it chases them to exhaustion. This practice has been legally prohibited in Santa Catarina since a 1997 Supreme Court ruling (RE 153.531-8/SC) that deemed it inherently cruel, despite acknowledging the state's role in promoting cultural rights. The 1998 Environmental Crimes Law further criminalizes participation in, aiding, or failure to prevent acts of animal cruelty.