An atrocious act has caused outrage in the municipality of Gibara, in the province of Holguín, where a woman discovered that her stolen cat was being cooked by those who committed the crime.
The complaint was made public by the Holguín Animal Protection Society (SPAH) through its Facebook page, where they demanded justice for the animal and called out the lack of action from the authorities.
"Our society demands justice for this little furry one. It is shameful that acts like this continue to occur and the authorities do not react," stated the group in their post.
The case has rekindled criticism of the Animal Welfare Decree Law in Cuba, which was approved in 2021 following citizen protests, but many consider it a “farce” that is ineffective in the face of ongoing violence against beloved animals.
The SPAH reported that in Cuba, domestic animals, including pets that are identified and cared for by their owners, continue to be hunted and killed, justified by the economic and food crisis the country is experiencing.
"Our society is rotten, and our education is so poor that many seem not to care about these barbaric acts," they added.
The post also directly addressed institutions such as the Provincial Directorate of MINAGRI, the government of Holguín, and law enforcement agencies, questioning their passivity in the face of these types of crimes.
The incident has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, where users are demanding answers and punishment for those involved.
During the first months of 2025, multiple cases of animal cruelty have been reported in Cuba, generating increasing public outrage and renewed criticism of the weak enforcement of the Animal Welfare Decree-Law.
One of the most alarming events occurred last February when a woman in Havana was caught brutally hitting a cat against the pavement with the intention of preparing a soup for her children.
The widely circulated fact on social media sparked massive rejection, and although authorities imposed fines for mistreatment and theft, animal rights organizations like PASOS called for harsher sanctions and the inclusion of animal cruelty in the Cuban Penal Code.
Last Friday, a case was reported regarding a dog that was left hanging from a balcony in Havana, seemingly due to negligence.
The images of the incident went viral, once again highlighting the lack of effective mechanisms for preventing and responding to animal suffering.
This Monday, a citizen shared on social media the state of starvation of several animals, including pets, in Cuba.
The photos showed malnourished dogs and cats, a consequence of the deep economic crisis, which fueled the debate about how this precarious situation is driving extreme actions, from abandonment to sacrifice for human consumption.
This bleak outlook had already been anticipated last September, when the Cuban government acknowledged an increase in cases of animal abuse.
At that time, the authorities promised to strengthen control and protection measures, but recent reports suggest that the situation has not improved. Activists and citizens insist that as long as mistreatment is not penalized with effective sentences, impunity will continue to prevail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Animal Cruelty and Animal Welfare in Cuba
What happened in the case of the stolen and cooked cat in Gibara?
In Gibara, a woman discovered that her stolen cat was being cooked by those who had taken it. This outrageous incident was reported by the Holguín Society for the Protection of Animals, which demanded justice and criticized the lack of action by local authorities. The case has sparked a strong reaction on social media, where calls for punishment of those responsible are being made.
How is the Animal Welfare Decree-Law being implemented in Cuba?
The Animal Welfare Decree-Law in Cuba, approved in 2021, remains ineffective in its application. Despite protests and the approval of this law, acts of animal cruelty continue to occur, and the penalties are seen as insufficient. Animal rights advocates are demanding a reform that includes animal abuse in the Penal Code and harsher penalties.
What impact does the economic crisis have on animal abuse in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba has exacerbated animal mistreatment. The scarcity of food and resources drives some to resort to unusual food sources, such as the sacrifice of pets for consumption. This situation leads to acts of cruelty that, combined with the lack of effective government action, result in an increase in violence towards animals.
What reactions has the case of the cooked cat in Gibara generated?
The case of the cat cooked in Gibara has sparked a wave of outrage on social media. Users are demanding justice for the animal and criticizing the passivity of the authorities. Furthermore, the case has rekindled the debate about the effectiveness of the Animal Welfare Decree-Law in Cuba and the need for harsher penalties to prevent such acts of cruelty.
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