A dog whose owner routinely mistreats her was left hanging from a balcony this Friday in Havana, a situation witnessed by several neighbors
The brutal and shameful incident was exposed in the group Facebook "Pets in Cuba" by the user Ana Habana.
Ana reported the incident that took place in the CATM building, located in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, where an elderly woman named Tania Oviedo allegedly left her pet hanging from the balcony of her apartment on the 12th floor, unit E.
"A woman who abuses this dog keeps her locked on the balcony morning, noon, and night," she emphasized.
The young woman specified that the animal was hanging there all morning until, with the help of a neighbor, it was brought back onto the balcony.
"We have exhausted all resources and the authorities are stalling. The woman is a bad person and this is not the first time she has abused; she did it before with a parrot," he detailed.
The complainant stated that, despite having filed multiple reports, no action has been taken.
"It has happened a thousand times, it has been discussed a thousand times, and he continues to abuse animals. If they take that away from him, we must ensure that he never has another one," he criticized.
Additionally, he noted that the same person would be responsible for two children under the age of 10, his grandchildren, who could also be potential victims of abuse
"Nobody does anything, not even social workers visit those children," he questioned.
This incident adds to a series of cases of animal abuse recently reported in the Cuban capital.
In February, another incident was reported where a man hanged his neighbor's dog in retaliation for the death of his chickens.
In March, a man was reported cutting a dog on the Malecón in Havana, which raised concerns about the safety of pets in public places.
Despite the existence of the Animal Welfare Decree-Law No. 31, implemented in 2021, organizations and activists point out that its enforcement is insufficient.
Reports of mistreatment rarely receive adequate attention, and offenders do not face significant consequences. This has led the community to use social media as a platform to highlight these cases and demand more effective action from the authorities.
The lack of resources and institutional indifference contribute to animals in Cuba being victims of violence and abandonment. Meanwhile, the community continues to mobilize in search of justice and protection for the abused species
Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Abuse in Havana
What happened to the abused dog in Havana?
A dog was left hanging from a balcony in Havana, as reported by a neighbor on social media. The incident occurred in the CATM building in the Plaza de la Revolución municipality. Despite the reports, authorities have not taken significant action against the person responsible.
What actions have been taken against animal abuse in Cuba?
Despite the existence of Decree-Law No. 31 on Animal Welfare, actions against abuse in Cuba are insufficient. The community has turned to social media to report and demand more effective measures, but the enforcement of sanctions remains weak and offenders rarely face significant consequences.
What is the Cuban government's stance on animal abuse?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the issue of animal abuse, describing some cases as "aberrant." However, the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Law is inadequate. The penalties are usually financial and do not reflect the severity of the acts of cruelty, leading to criticism from activists and animal advocates.
How does the economic crisis affect animal welfare in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba has worsened animal abandonment and mistreatment. Many families can no longer care for their pets, and the lack of resources in veterinary clinics further complicates the situation. Animals are left exposed to hunger and precarious health conditions.
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