A Cuban family residing in Florida has fallen victim to a violent criminal act in their home: several thieves broke in and stole hundreds of exotic birds, but before that, they killed their four dogs and another belonging to a neighbor.
The incident occurred on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday in Redlands, an agricultural area located southwest of Miami-Dade.
Michel Ojito, the owner of the farm, had been raising his birds for over 12 years, about 300 specimens. Last Wednesday, upon waking up, he encountered a horrifying scene: the empty cages and the carcasses of his four pets and those of his neighbor.
What hurts him the most is this last point, that act of unnecessary cruelty against defenseless animals.
"They have destroyed my family. It is cruelty, savagery, a murder," emphasized to América TeVe.
"Imagine that my girl found one of those little dogs that killed me, in the street; she picked it up...", she detailed.
The four dogs belonging to him: a Labrador, a Rottweiler, and two rat terriers, along with his neighbor's dog, were poisoned, apparently to prevent them from barking and alerting about the theft.
A surveillance video shows that shortly after midnight on Wednesday, a pick up truck arrived at the back of the property, and four men got out and jumped over the fence.
One of the individuals, with their face covered, uninstalled a camera and threw it to the ground, while another individual was carrying a ladder in hand.
Michel believes that the birds could be sold on the black market, and that it is very difficult to identify them for their return.
"No matter how much they plan to sell them for, they won't get $5,000. Because to me, they hold value. And if I were to sell them little by little, you could sell them without any problem. But now they are going to give them away, as they say, and the opposite has ended the happiness of the family," he expressed sadly to Telemundo 51.
Ojito offers a reward of $5,000 for information that helps locate the whereabouts of those responsible.
The police are also asking for the public's help. If you know who these people are, please contact the Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-8477.
Michel is offering a reward of 5 thousand dollars for information that helps identify and capture those responsible.
The Miami-Dade Police also asks the community that if anyone knows anything, to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at (305) 471-8477.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bird Theft and Animal Cruelty in Miami-Dade
What happened at the Cuban family's house in Miami-Dade?
Some thieves broke into the home of a Cuban family in Redlands, Miami-Dade, where they killed four dogs and stole 300 exotic birds. The act was extremely violent and left the family in a state of shock and pain.
What measures are the authorities taking to resolve the case of the theft of exotic birds?
The Miami-Dade Police are asking for the community's help to identify those responsible. Michel Ojito, the owner of the birds, is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to their capture. You can contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at (305) 471-8477.
How does this news relate to other cases of animal abuse in Miami?
The case in Miami-Dade is part of other incidents of animal abuse and theft in the area. These events reflect a concerning increase in violence and cruelty towards animals in the region. Cases such as a man abusing his dog on a balcony and thefts of animals from private properties are part of this trend.
What can residents of Miami-Dade do to protect themselves from similar robberies?
To protect against theft, authorities recommend installing security cameras and alarm systems. Residents should remain vigilant for any suspicious activity and report it to the police immediately. Additionally, the use of cameras with continuous recording or wired connections can be an effective measure against signal blockers.
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