Related videos:
A new case of animal abuse in Cuba has sparked outrage among animal rights activists and dozens of users on social media.
In the municipality of Mayarí, Holguín province, a young woman identified as Lourdes Elena publicly reported the brutal death of her kitten, allegedly killed by neighbors from the building where she lives.
However, far from achieving justice, the affected party is now facing charges for the alleged crime of defamation, after making the complaint public.
According to information published by the network Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC) on their Facebook page, Lourdes Elena recently went to the Mayarí Police Unit to request that a contravention file be opened against those allegedly responsible for throwing her pet from the third floor and then beating it to death. However, she was met with indifference. After more than four hours of waiting and a confrontation with the parties involved, she ended up being charged with defamation.
The reason was that Mrs. Mabel, identified as the person who allegedly threw the animal from her balcony, felt defamed by Lourdes Elena's social media post. From that moment on, the victim began to be treated as a presumed perpetrator.
In her heartbreaking testimony, Lourdes explained that she was not at home when the events occurred. Her kitten, a young one that had never left the apartment, apparently went out by accident and ended up entering the home of the alleged aggressor.
Instead of trying to return her, the woman threw her from the third floor. Even still alive, the little girl managed to get up, but was attacked by a dog that was released on her, and ultimately beaten until she died.
"My cat even urinated blood," she recounted. "What angers me the most is that they weren't even capable of facing me. When I arrived, I found them laughing, as if they were boasting about what they had done."
The most alarming aspect for activists and citizens has not only been the cruelty of the act itself but also the institutional response. Despite the existence of an Animal Welfare Law in Cuba since 2021, reports of abuse are frequently ignored, minimized, or filed away without any repercussions. Worse yet, those who speak up are often intimidated, as has happened in this case.
"It can't be that those responsible go unpunished and that those who denounce are treated like criminals,” lamented an activist from BAC. “This situation is an insult to the community that defends animals and to those who believe in justice.”
The original post by Lourdes Elena has been widely shared, while the animal rights community is calling for the case not to be forgotten. Photographs, witness testimonies, and appeals for the authorities to act swiftly and justly have been circulated.
"Today it was this little cat," they warn from BAC, "tomorrow it could be any of our pets."
The story has moved many due to its cruelty, but it has also ignited a broader demand: the right to animal protection, respect, and a justice that does not punish those who demand that the law be upheld.
Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Abuse in Cuba
What happened with the animal abuse case in Mayarí?
In Mayarí, Holguín, a cat was thrown from the third floor and beaten to death, which sparked outrage in the community. The owner, Lourdes Elena, reported the incident but was accused of defamation while seeking justice.
What is the response of the Cuban authorities regarding animal abuse?
Despite the existence of Decree-Law 31 on Animal Welfare since 2021, reports of animal abuse in Cuba are often ignored or downplayed, and offenders rarely face significant consequences.
What actions has the animal rights community taken in Cuba?
The animal rights community in Cuba, through social media and organizations like Bienestar Animal Cuba, has reported multiple cases of animal cruelty and has demanded harsher and more effective penalties for those responsible.
Why is the Animal Welfare Law in Cuba considered ineffective?
The Animal Welfare Law in Cuba is considered ineffective because its implementation is deficient, the penalties are lenient, and the seriousness of acts of cruelty is not reflected, which perpetuates impunity.
Filed under: