Animal protectors in the province of Sancti Spíritus rescued a stray Dalmatian this Monday that had been abandoned on the street and was suffering from a transmissible venereal tumor (TVT).
The ARCA Sancti Spíritus Foundation shared a video on Facebook of the rescue of a dog who, due to the condition of her breasts, had apparently been used repeatedly for breeding before being abandoned.
TVT is a contagious cancer in dogs that spreads through direct contact, primarily affecting the genitals, although it can also appear in other areas of the body. In Cuba, it is a common reason for abandoning animals due to its challenging treatment.
In the comments, several people agreed that so-called purebred dogs are often used indiscriminately for breeding and selling their puppies. They also pointed out that when females are infected with this type of tumor, they are frequently abandoned.
"It is clear how many times she was used for giving birth; her breasts tell the story. They probably got rid of her due to TVT; after generating so much money, it was easier to dispose of her than to invest in her treatment," noted a person named Nau Valentinok.
Mary Isabel also pointed out: “That’s why they want those of our race, to extract everything they can from them, and then this happens: when they can’t take it anymore, they abandon them to their fate instead of treating them and paying for their care. Of course, once they’re no longer useful for business, which is their main interest.”
Other rescuers pointed out that the dog needs vitamins and vincristine sulfate, the latter being a medication commonly used to treat TVT in female dogs.
Recently, an animal shelter questioned the actions of the Cuban institutions responsible for nature conservation, expressing outrage over the promotion of the sale of red squirrels in Havana.
In a Facebook post, Elizabeth Marela Cardoso Pérez harshly criticized sellers who, in her opinion, exploit the suffering of animals without any knowledge of their handling and care.
Furthermore, amidst the economic crisis that Cuba is experiencing, pet theft has increased, with animals being illegally sold or, in the worst-case scenario, used for food.
Last July, a family who reported the theft of their two chihuahua puppies recovered them after someone who had bought them decided to return them to their owners.
"We've found them," pointed out Mayrelis Garcés González in the Facebook group "SOS Callejeros Cuba," as she shared images and videos showing the girl's joy at being reunited with her pets.
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