Dogs accompany the search for an owner found dead in a river in Paraná and follow a procession to the cemetery: ‘He got along very well with the animals’

Sinval Vargas' dogs accompanied the search for their owner, who was found dead in a river in Salgado Filho, in the southwest of Paraná, on Sunday (8). The animals remained close to the rescue teams during the removal of the body and then followed the procession to the cemetery, according to reports from Joscemir Vargas de Lima, the victim's nephew.

Sinval had been missing since Friday afternoon (6), when he left home to fish near Bosque Municipal, where the Sarandi River passes, and did not return.

On Sunday morning, his brother contacted the Military Police (PM) to report his disappearance. During the search, police found a backpack, two fishing rods and the victim's clothes near the river.

The Francisco Beltrão Fire Department was called and began searching the water. After diving, rescuers located Sinval's body at the bottom of the river, about ten meters from where his belongings were.

According to firefighters, the location occurred shortly after the underwater search began.

During the service, the dogs remained nearby, following the movement of police officers, firefighters and the team responsible for removing the body.

"He got along very well with the animals, he always had five or six little dogs behind him. He went fishing and never came back. When we went looking near where he was fishing, we found the dogs and they were looking in the water. When the firefighters arrived, they found the body exactly where the animals were," said his nephew Joscemir.

Journalist Adriano Fernandes, who knew Sinval and his family, said that the man was known for his affection for animals.

"He was loved by everyone in the city. He took great care of the animals, they were always together and well looked after," he said.

According to Adriano, the dogs also accompanied the procession to the cemetery.

"From the beginning, the dogs accompanied the search and then followed the procession to the cemetery. It's something that makes us very emotional," he said.

According to the Military Police, no signs of crime were identified during the initial investigation. The cause of death was not reported and the case was referred to the Civil Police, responsible for the investigation.