Dogs parade at Rio Carnival as their owners protest against animal cruelty

Dozens of dogs dressed as alligators, fairies and superheroes have gathered at a Rio de Janeiro Carnival street party as their owners protested cruelty against pets. The canines wagged their tails Saturday to samba music, ate a delicious breakfast from several bowls and made new friends at the so-called Blocao, a traditional event during Brazil’s biggest bash. About 300 people and their pets gathered in the neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca, on Rio’s west side. They sang and danced to old-style Carnival songs as their pets kept their paws protected in the shade as Rio’s thermometers marked 30 Celsius degrees (86 Fahrenheit).