Scooby, a dog rescued with 3 kg of dirt, went home to a new owner after being discharged. The former owner of the dog Scooby, rescued in Fortaleza in 2025, was ordered by the State Court to pay R$7,000 for moral and material damages to the animal, this Wednesday (17). The action was filed by the NGO Anjos da Defesa Animal (APA) and considered the animal as the author of the process (understand below). Judge Fernando Teles de Paula Lima considered that "material compensation requires proof of financial loss, which, in the present case, was met by the documents attached. Once the necessary expenditure on treating the animal has been demonstrated, full reimbursement of the amount spent is strictly necessary." "Regarding the request for compensation for moral damages, this remains characterized by the very seriousness of the conduct carried out to the detriment of the animal, which suffered ill-treatment and direct impact on its physical and emotional integrity", added the judge. READ ALSO: Former owners of a dog rescued with 3 kg of dirt are charged with mistreatment Couple who mistreated rescued dog with 3 kg of dirt will pay R$20,000 to animal protection entities Scooby was rescued when he was under the care of a couple — both 47 years old. However, only the former guardian was prosecuted in the civil area as she was the only one to present herself as responsible for the animal. However, the couple of former guardians were criminally charged with mistreatment. Last year, they signed an agreement with the Public Ministry of Ceará (MPCE) to pay almost R$20,000 to animal protection entities in Fortaleza. The amount was intended for entities that work to welcome and treat animals that are victims of abandonment and violence. With this, they prevented the process from continuing, with the obligation to comply with all the conditions established by the Court. 3 kg of dirt On the left, Scooby before grooming; on the right, Scooby after having 3 kg of dirty hair removed from his body. Reproduction/APA Scooby was rescued in March last year, aged around 14, in the Praia de Iracema neighborhood. The animal is a crossbreed between a mutt and a poodle. The rescue occurred after a complaint was received by APA, which called the police. The animal's former owner was arrested red-handed. She was released during a custody hearing and was prohibited from having contact with the animal. Scooby had 3 kg of dirty, caked hair on his body. This made it difficult for him to move around. The animal was also anemic, had fleas and ticks, as well as blood nodules on the skin due to the weight of its fur. He was later diagnosed with myiasis - an infection characterized by the infestation of fly larvae in the skin. Animal as author of the process Scooby, represented by APA, was considered a legal plaintiff in the case, even though Justice, in most cases, considers animals as "property". "Animals should not be treated as mere inanimate objects, but as beings endowed with special legal protection, capable of having legally relevant interests protected in court, through adequate representation", reasoned the judge. "Thus, I recognize the procedural capacity of the animal SCOOBY, represented by the author association Anjos da Defesa Animal – APA, as well as the active legitimacy of the entity for the present demand", concluded the judge. The judge also said that, being sentient, "such animals are beings that, inevitably, have a special nature and, as a sentient being - endowed with sensitivity, feeling the same pain and biopsychological needs as rational animals -, their well-being must be considered". Watch the most viewed videos from Ceará