The Mystery of "Piti", the Boa That Never Existed

Published in July 2026

The quiet streets of Colegiales, a charming residential neighborhood in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA), Argentina, were disrupted in mid-July 2026. Signs plastered on street posts warned about the disappearance of "Piti", a supposed three-meter-long boa that had allegedly escaped from a terrace at the intersection of Céspedes and Zapiola streets. However, it was soon revealed to be a marketing strategy that, according to its creator, "got out of hand."

An Out-of-Control Advertising Campaign

The mastermind behind the maneuver was Lucas, a young electrician and local dog walker. According to the Argentine media outlet Diario Norte, his original idea was to spread the fake search for the boa for a few days and then post a second sign promoting his dog-walking services, suggesting he would keep dogs safe while owners stayed peacefully at home. "The idea was for that story to get some visibility, but not that much. It got out of hand," Lucas admitted in an interview with the Argentine radio program "Y qué?" on Vorterix.

Neighborhood and Judicial Reaction

The false alarm generated concern among residents, especially pet owners. Graciela Peñafort, a local lawyer and legislator, expressed her worry on social media about the possibility of the animal entering her terrace. The Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the snake never existed and that territorial control agents found no biological traces. The Buenos Aires Justice system is analyzing whether to charge Lucas for creating a public alarm and mobilizing security operations under false premises.

Sources: Diario Norte, Vorterix, and Clarín.