Cuban animal protectors have reported this Thursday on social media that, under police orders in Varadero, Matanzas province, horse-drawn carriages used by tourists are required to wait under the scorching sun until rented, in an area devoid of trees or shelters providing shade.
Miriam Romero Nasiff reported in the Facebook group "Sociedad Protectora de Animales en Cuba" that the police instructed carriage drivers to place the horses in an area under the intense sun, without roofs, trees, or canopies to provide shade. "Why this? Where is the animal protection? This measure is quite cruel," the activist pointed out, clarifying that the text of the complaint and the photos were sent by a friend.
The post clarifies that the horses must remain in that location "until rented by some national or foreign tourist," the text indicated.
The new incident of animal abuse has sparked outrage among activists, who have echoed the complaint on social media. One of the most fervent Cuban animal advocates, Yenney Caballero, also highlighted this new mistreatment of horses on Facebook. "I want a law that protects the rights of animals in my country, a law with severe sanctions, with fines that put an end to such abuse," Caballero expressed, suggesting that horse owners should ignore the police order.
"Horses are the hardest-working animals in this country; they sustain entire families, meet needs, and look how they are treated," the activist noted, emphasizing that this animal is one of the most abused and mistreated in Cuba. This is not the first time social media has echoed complaints of horse abuse.
Another incident of animal abuse occurred in the Artemisa municipality, where a horse was forced to pull a carriage with people on board, according to social media reports. A young man struck the horse during a two-block journey to make it move, despite its obvious exhaustion, as reported on Facebook by the user identified as Stlanscloe Yudeimy, who filmed the incident and confronted the individual for mistreating the animal.
In the Luyanó neighborhood, in the Havana municipality of Diez de Octubre, another case of abuse occurred: a horse used to give children rides while pulling a carriage collapsed in the middle of the street, according to a witness report to CiberCuba. Images sent to the newsroom show the animal lying on the ground, making failed efforts to stand up, while dozens of people watch the distressing scene.
Animal Abuse in Varadero: Key Questions and Answers
This section addresses some of the critical questions surrounding the recent animal abuse incident in Varadero, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
Why were the horses left under the sun?
According to reports, the police in Varadero ordered the horses to be placed in an area without shade, forcing them to endure the intense sun until rented by tourists.
Who reported the incident?
The incident was reported by Miriam Romero Nasiff in the Facebook group "Sociedad Protectora de Animales en Cuba." The text and photos were sent by a friend of Nasiff.
What has been the reaction to the incident?
The incident has generated significant outrage among animal rights activists, who have shared the complaint on social media, demanding stronger animal protection laws and enforcement in Cuba.