At least seven cats died following a mass sterilization campaign in Puerto Berrío, Antioquia [1].

The incident has sparked an investigation into the quality of veterinary care provided during the event and the legality of using students to perform surgical procedures on animals.

The mayor of Puerto Berrío declared a "red alert" veterinary status and said there were alleged bad practices during the procedures [1]. Municipal and departmental authorities, alongside the Gobernación de Antioquia, activated the emergency alert to address the crisis [2].

Investigators suspect that the surgeries were carried out by students from a private university rather than licensed professional veterinarians [3]. The deaths occurred during a campaign intended to control the local animal population, a common public health measure that turned fatal due to the alleged lack of qualified supervision.

Local officials said the deaths are a result of improper veterinary procedures. The investigation now focuses on whether the private university provided sufficient oversight or if the students operated independently without the required professional certifications [3].

This event has caused significant distress among pet owners in the region. The municipal government is working with regional health authorities to ensure that future sterilization drives adhere to strict medical protocols to prevent further loss of animal life [2].

“The Mayor of Puerto Berrío declared a "red alert" veterinary status.”

This incident highlights a critical gap in the regulation of community veterinary services in Colombia. By utilizing students for surgical procedures without professional oversight, the organizers bypassed safety standards, transforming a public health initiative into a liability. The resulting 'red alert' suggests that local authorities may lack the immediate infrastructure to manage veterinary emergencies, necessitating a more rigorous certification process for those leading mass sterilization campaigns.