Overview

• The city of Mendoza has maintained its order barring Pato Juan from Avenida San Martín and will not authorize his return to the public centre.
• Margarita Flores, who adopted the duck seven months ago, now keeps Juan in a cage at her rural Maipú property to protect him from potential threats.
• Supporters have gathered over 7,000 signatures on a petition demanding the duck’s reinstatement at the florist’s stand in downtown Mendoza.
• Animal-rights lawyer Oscar Mellado filed an administrative appeal to revoke the municipality’s removal order and restore Juan’s access to his familiar urban routine.
• The controversy highlights tensions over public-space regulation, animal-welfare laws and owner liability for pet behaviour in Argentina.