Copa América Chaos: Do You Know This Shih Tzu?

Is this your Shih Tzu? New Times would like a word.

July 15, 2024

Image: A Shih Tzu was among the fans caught in the crush entering Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens for the Copa América final on July 14, 2024.

How did a dog get caught in the Copa América mayhem at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday night? Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

What happens on the ground matters — Your support makes it possible.

We’re aiming to raise $6,000 by August 10, so we can deepen our reporting on the critical stories unfolding right now: grassroots protests, immigration, politics and more.

Contribute Now

Progress to goal

$6,000

$1,400

Audio By Carbonatix

[
          {
            "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
            "component": "22004575",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "STN Player - Float - Mobile Only ",
            "component": "22595215",
            "insertPoint": "2",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
          },{
            "name": "Editor Picks",
            "component": "17482312",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - 2x Rectangles Desktop, Tower on Mobile - Labeled",
            "component": "23181625",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 8,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          
          },{
            "name": "Inline Links",
            "component": "18711090",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          },{
            "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
            "component": "17720761",
            "insertPoint": "8th",
            "startingPoint": 12,
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
            "maxInsertions": 25
          }
        ]

While many fret about damage to Hard Rock Stadium and Miami's reputation in the wake of Sunday night's Copa América mayhem, here at New Times we're concerned about one unwitting participant: the dog who got loose amid the madness.

Video footage from TV Azteca Deportes that showed people rushing the gates also captured a man who hastened to the aid of a fallen fan — but not before freeing a small brown-and-white shih tzu from the portable carrier he was toting.

Setting aside for a moment the question of what would inspire a sports fan to treat Argentina vs. Colombia as if it were Bark at the Park, we were struck by the drama.

Behold, as a tragedy unfolds in four frames:

click to enlarge

crowd scene in which a man frees a dog from a portable carrier

Guy holding dog...dropping dog to help fallen fan.

Screenshot via X

click to enlarge

Guy helping fallen fan. Shih Tzu trotting away.

Screenshot via X

click to enlarge

Shih Tzu running away...where is our guy now?

Screenshot via X

click to enlarge

Last view of Shih Tzu.

Screenshot via X

Social media users say man and dog were subsequently reunited. If you are the owner, we'd like to hear from you.

Naomi Feinstein is a staff writer of Miami New Times where she primarily focuses on news. Naomi started her career with New Times as a summer intern in 2019, then returned as a fellow in August 2022 before joining the staff full-time in February 2023. She graduated from University of Miami where she contributed to the student-run newspaper, the Miami Hurricane. She holds a master’s degree and graduated with honors from the Columbia School of Journalism. In 2021, Naomi was recognized as the College Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists of Florida, and she placed second for Best General News Story in the 2021 Pinnacle Awards.

A message from Naomi Feinstein: If you value independent journalism, please consider making a contribution to support our continued coverage of essential stories and to investigate issues that matter.

Support Today