On Cuba's Dog Day, animal rights activists and advocates took part in a heartfelt procession at Havana's Colón Cemetery on Sunday, urging authorities to enforce the Animal Welfare Law with rigor to effectively punish mistreatment. The event was publicized on social media by Animal Protection SOS - PASOS, which highlighted that this was the largest gathering yet at the so-called Tomb of Loyalty, the final resting place of Jeannette Ford Ryder, a historical animal rights advocate, and her loyal dog Rinti, who stayed by her side until her death.
"We reaffirm our commitment to continue fighting for a truly effective Animal Welfare Law that firmly punishes mistreatment and ensures the respect and rights our animals deserve," declared the protective organization. The event, marked by respect and sensitivity, also served as a protest against the non-enforcement of the Animal Welfare Decree-Law, approved in 2021 after years of citizen pressure.
The Unfulfilled Promise of Animal Welfare Law
Advocates argue that the law remains unenforced, with abuse continuing unchecked in various parts of the country. Rinti's grave has become a symbol of loyalty and resistance, where activists gather each year to emphasize that love for animals should be reflected in real, robust, and enforced laws, not just symbolic gestures or institutional promises.
Joining this call was the organization Cubans in Defense of Animals (CEDA), which used the occasion to highlight the numerous forms of cruelty still prevalent across the nation, many extending beyond domestic settings. In a social media post, CEDA condemned ongoing practices like abandoning litters of kittens in dumps, beating dogs without legal repercussions, using horses for labor under extreme conditions, overcrowding farm animals, trafficking wild birds, and using animals in laboratories and illegal fights.
"Wherever there is an animal in Cuba, its basic needs and rights must be improved and defended," warned the organization, demanding a stricter and truly enforceable law that addresses the shortcomings of the current Animal Welfare Decree-Law. CEDA also encouraged flooding social media with stories and images of Cuban animals to give "a voice to the voiceless" and maintain public pressure for structural changes to protect all sentient beings in the country.
Recent Incidents Highlight Urgent Need for Action
Leading up to Dog Day, several incidents of animal cruelty stirred Cuban public opinion, intensifying the calls for effective enforcement of the Animal Welfare Law. One of the most shocking cases occurred last Wednesday when an individual offered a live owl for 20,000 pesos on a Facebook group in Havana. The post, showing the bird confined in a metal bucket, sparked outrage over abuse and the trafficking of protected species, revealing the impunity with which current regulations are violated.
Just a day earlier, another distressing incident came to light: a woman in Gibara found thieves cooking her stolen cat. This act was condemned as "barbaric" by the Animal Protection Society in Holguín, which criticized the authorities' silence. Another revealing situation was exposed in March when activist Yenney Caballero publicly accused the Mascolive veterinary clinic of refusing to perform emergency surgery on a critically ill cat, citing technical reasons and demanding exorbitant fees. This was seen by animal defenders as negligent and contrary to ethical care, raising questions about the lack of effective mechanisms to ensure animal welfare beyond legal provisions.
FAQs on Animal Welfare in Cuba
What is the current status of Cuba's Animal Welfare Law?
The Animal Welfare Law in Cuba was approved in 2021 but is reportedly not being effectively enforced, with cases of animal abuse continuing to occur without significant legal repercussions.
Who are some of the key organizations advocating for animal rights in Cuba?
Key organizations include Animal Protection SOS - PASOS and Cubans in Defense of Animals (CEDA), both of which are actively involved in advocating for stronger animal protection laws and enforcement in Cuba.
What are some common forms of animal cruelty reported in Cuba?
Common forms of animal cruelty in Cuba include abandoning litters of kittens, beating dogs, using horses under harsh conditions, overcrowding farm animals, trafficking wild birds, and exploiting animals in laboratories and illegal fights.