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In the neighborhood Habana Nueva, in the municipality of Guanabacoa, three butchers were caught by neighbors just as they were slaughtering a stolen donkey.
The scene - according to testimonies from local farmers - was "devastating," "an unforgettable image," and has left the entire community in shock.
The events, now reported by the organization Bienestar Animal Cuba (BAC), date back to November 26, when six animals -five mares that had given birth and one donkey- disappeared from the Vista Hermosa farm, in Bacuranao, municipality of East Havana.
It was not only about the livelihood of a farming family, but also about living beings subjected to indescribable violence.
Organized neighbors, improvised justice
It was community vigilance and the pressure from neighbors that made it possible to locate the three suspects.
They were caught in the act of slaughter, still with the dying donkey.
One of the animals was able to be rescued alive, but there are still no updates on the others.
The inhabitants not only identified the aggressors; they also documented what happened, reported it, and demanded punishment.
"Very well that they were caught, which is already something good amidst so much injustice, but the problem now is that they don’t let them go free after three days," lamented an internet user in the comments section of the post.
"They are murderers, not just thieves."
What some might classify as a simple cattle theft, for thousands it is an act of criminal cruelty.
"Those kinds of thieves are double murderers. They sacrifice the animal and will kill the owner if they feel cornered," another commentator warned.
The violence inherent in these crimes not only threatens animals but also endangers human lives.
"Not a fine, nor supposed justification. They must go to prison and for a long time! They premeditate, steal, mistreat, affect families and live with fear and risks," denounced another internet user.
Cubans demand more than fleeting arrests in similar cases; they are calling for exemplary sanctions.
Beyond the pain, the indignation is fueled by a deeper truth: the lack of effective legislation against animal abuse in Cuba.
“The sad part is that if they go to prison, it will be for theft and the sacrifice of livestock, but not for animal cruelty. That is still in limbo”, lamented a user.
The animal welfare law, although approved, is poorly enforced and continues to leave thousands of living beings completely unprotected.
"Until there is a stronger law that includes prison sentences for all types of animal abuse, these things will continue to happen," warned another internet user.
The Faces of Horror: Why Do They Protect Them?
Another topic that sparked debate is the identity of the aggressors. Many question why, in such a significant event, their faces are concealed when reporting the case.
"They should show their faces. Let everyone see who the killers are," insisted a commentator.
And he was not the only one. “Don’t cover the faces of those criminals, let them be seen clearly so everyone knows who they are,” demanded another voice on social media.
It's not about morbid curiosity; it's about prevention.
"If we don't know them, how are we going to stop them when they do it again?" reasoned a third user.
The demand for visibility is not a thirst for vengeance, but a necessity for collective protection.
The rural suffering that no one hears
This case is just a glimpse of a larger reality. In many rural areas of the country, such as Camajuaní, Jagüey Grande, or San Juan y Martínez, the theft and slaughter of animals is systematic.
“The farmers have no rest,” reported a testimony.
"In Vueltas, many no longer plant crops because their oxen, cows, and horses are stolen... even though it is known who did it, nothing happens," recounted another affected individual.
Impunity and precariousness create a perfect breeding ground for violence. And the most vulnerable—the animals—pay the price.
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