The organization BAC-Habana, a group of volunteers advocating for animal welfare in Cuba, reported an alarming case of extreme cruelty against a puppy on Tuesday in the Alta Habana neighborhood of the Boyeros municipality in Havana.
Through a post on their Facebook page, the organization informed that a puppy named "Coco" was found beheaded, and that his head and skin were abandoned in front of his guardian's house, Aneyansi, a local resident.
The complaint was initially shared in the group "Lost Pets in Havana" by the user Yen Pérez, and was accompanied by screenshots of a chat in which Aneyansi confirms with pain: "They killed Coco... they ate him."
Days earlier, in the same area, the skin of a Cocker Spaniel was found in a dumpster, and BAC suspects that it could be the same perpetrators.
The organization stated that Alta Habana has been identified as a high-risk area and reminded that such acts are considered very serious infractions under Decree-Law 31/2021 on Animal Welfare, specifically in Article 9, which imposes fines of up to 4,000 Cuban pesos and potential criminal penalties, penalties that animal rights activists consider to be too lenient.
BAC-Habana announced that it is already in contact with Yen Pérez and Coco's family, and that it is gathering information to compile a file that will be submitted to the relevant authorities.
Once completed, the file will be submitted to the Provincial Delegation of Animal Health in Havana and to the Prosecutor's Office to demand the initiation of a formal investigation.
The organization also called on the residents of the Boyeros municipality and nearby areas to collaborate by providing concrete evidence (photos, videos, or testimonies), to avoid spreading rumors, and to share the alert to help prevent new acts of cruelty.
“We demand a transparent investigation and exemplary punishment,” concluded the organization, made up of students, workers, and ordinary citizens who dedicate their time to the rescue and protection of animals in Cuba.
The original report was made by the user Yen Pérez in the group Facebook "Lost Pets in Havana", where she expressed her outrage and issued a call to action to raise awareness about the case.
"I am making this post as a warning for all those who live near or in the Alta Habana area, as these atrocious cases are occurring where we see reflected the disgustingly cruel nature that humanity can reach," she wrote.
Pérez recounted that the puppy Coco had been rescued along with a friend from a military unit, where, if not adopted, he would have been euthanized.
Finally, I had found a loving home thanks to a friend.
"To my pain and dismay, today I learned of such an atrocity," lamented Yen, also recalling that days earlier her friend had reported finding the skin of a Cocker Spaniel in a local dumpster.
The young woman requested to share the report to alert the community and prevent further tragedies: "Let's give a voice to those who don't have one. I demand justice for Coco," she concluded.
The impunity with which those who mistreat animals in Cuba act reflects the limited severity of the legal system, which should deter this type of violence and protect the most vulnerable.
An example has just occurred in the municipality of Mayarí, province of Holguín, where a young woman identified as Lourdes Elena publicly denounced the brutal death of her kitten Lulita, allegedly killed by neighbors of the building where she resides.
The young woman revealed that the alleged perpetrators of the heinous act were citizens Mabel Rodríguez, Manolo Gutiérrez, and Alexander Delgado, the latter identified as the president of the CDR.
"Two residents confirm the fall and the aggression; photographs show injuries consistent with impact and physical abuse," emphasized the publication from an animal protection organization.
The curious thing about this case is that Lulita's guardian, instead of finding justice, now faces charges for the alleged crime of defamation.
According to information published by the Animal Welfare Network of Cuba (BAC) on their Facebook page, Lourdes Elena recently went to the Mayarí Police Unit to request the opening of a contravention file against those presumed responsible for throwing her pet from the third floor and then beating it to death.
However, she was met with indifference, and after more than four hours of waiting and a confrontation with those involved, she ended up being charged with defamation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Cruelty in Cuba
What happened to the puppy named Coco in Havana?
The puppy Coco was found decapitated in the Alta Habana neighborhood, in the Boyeros municipality, Havana. His head and skin were abandoned in front of his guardian's house, Aneyansi. The organization BAC-Habana denounces this brutal act of cruelty and calls for a formal investigation by the authorities.
How is the animal rights community responding to these cases of cruelty?
The animal rights community in Cuba, led by organizations such as BAC-Habana and SPAH, demands stronger and more effective sanctions for those responsible for acts of animal cruelty. They are utilizing social media to raise awareness about these cases and to pressure authorities to enforce the Animal Welfare Law effectively.
What does the Animal Welfare Law in Cuba say about these acts of cruelty?
The Decree-Law 31/2021 on Animal Welfare in Cuba considers these acts as very serious offenses, providing for fines of up to 4,000 Cuban pesos and potential criminal penalties. However, the enforcement of the law has been criticized for its ineffectiveness and lack of rigor in punishments.
What other recent cases of animal cruelty have occurred in Cuba?
In addition to the case of Coco, several incidents of animal cruelty have been reported in Cuba, such as a man cutting a dog on the Malecón in Havana and the death of a cat at the hands of a woman in Casablanca, Havana. These cases have sparked outrage and calls for a reform of the current legislation.
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