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Pinto, a dog who was beaten from the window of his home in Guanabacoa and lived chained in a porch exposed to the sun, rain, and neglect, has now been rescued by a group of animal advocates from Havana.
Animal advocate Adriana Fernández de Castro reported on Facebook that the dog, about nine or ten months old, is in the same awning where a different dog was in a similar situation a few months ago.
"It has owners, but they are not interested in this little animal at all. There it eats poorly, gets wet, is exposed to the sun all morning, and they reach out the window to hit it. Please, someone adopt it or provide a temporary home," she pleaded.
With a strong storm approaching the area, Adriana called for immediate help: "We are going to help this baby, no more abuse."
Days later, the activist shared the joyful news of the dog's rescue: "We asked the owner, and without a second thought, she gave him up without asking where he was going. Thank you to everyone who shared."
Pinto, whose life hung by a thread in Guanabacoa, is now starting a new chapter: he is recovering in a temporary home while a permanent family is sought to provide him with the love and security he should have never lost.
Its rescue is not an isolated event, but rather part of a painful sequence of abuses against animals in Havana that, despite numerous citizen reports, continue to occur with alarming frequency.
In recent months, particularly brutal cases have shocked the population: from a dog hanging for hours from a balcony in a building in Plaza de la Revolución, to a man who hung his neighbor's dog in retaliation for a domestic conflict.
Disturbing images of another individual attempting to attack a dog on the Havana waterfront were also circulated in broad daylight.
These episodes, which outrage many, reflect a deep failure in the actual protection of animals in Cuba.
Although the Animal Welfare Law No. 31, approved in 2021, represented a long-awaited legal advancement for animal rights advocates, its implementation has been, in practice, nearly symbolic.
The relevant authorities rarely act swiftly in response to complaints, the mechanisms for imposing penalties are weak or non-existent, and offenders - even repeat offenders - often go unpunished.
Institutional inertia, combined with a lack of material and human resources, has forced citizens themselves to take on the roles of oversight, reporting, and often, rescue.
Activists and animal rights groups have become essential for documenting abuses and coordinating actions, filling the void that the state should occupy.
Meanwhile, animals continue to be exposed to violence, abandonment, and indifference in a country where protecting life is not always a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Abuse in Cuba
What was the case of animal abuse that occurred in Guanabacoa that prompted the intervention of animal rights activists?
In Guanabacoa, Havana, a dog named Pinto lived chained in a shelter, exposed to the sun and rain, and was beaten from the window of his owner’s house. A group of animal rights activists led by Adriana Fernández de Castro rescued the dog, who is now in a temporary home while a permanent adoption is sought. This case is one of many that highlight the lack of effective protection for animals in Cuba.
What does the Pinto case reveal about the state of animal welfare in Cuba?
The case of Pinto reveals a profound failure in the real protection of animals in Cuba. Despite the existence of Decree-Law No. 31 on Animal Welfare, approved in 2021, its implementation has been inadequate. Reports of animal abuse rarely receive proper attention, and offenders often go unpunished, reflecting institutional inertia and a lack of resources.
How is the community reacting to the lack of effective enforcement of the Animal Welfare Law in Cuba?
In the absence of an effective application of the Animal Welfare Law, citizens and groups on social media have taken on the role of monitoring and reporting. Groups such as "Mascotas en Cuba" and "Bienestar Animal Cuba" document abuses and coordinate efforts to rescue mistreated animals, filling the gap that the State should be addressing.
What actions are being demanded to improve animal protection in Cuba?
Animal activists and advocates in Cuba are calling for a reform of the current Animal Welfare Decree-Law to include harsher penalties and ensure actual enforcement. They are requesting that animal abuse be included in the Penal Code and that effective reporting and sanctioning mechanisms be implemented to protect animals from violence and abandonment.
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