Animal Cruelty Incident in Mayarí Sparks Outrage: Cat Thrown from Third Floor and Beaten to Death

A disturbing case of animal cruelty has emerged in Mayarí, Holguín province, where Lourdes Elena, the owner of a cat named Lulita, reported that her pet was thrown from a third-floor balcony by three individuals from her building. After the fall, the cat was brutally beaten and attacked by a dog, resulting in its death.

In a detailed post on the Facebook group “Revolico Mayarí,” Lourdes described the horrific events leading to Lulita's demise. She identified Mabel Rodríguez, Manolo Gutiérrez, and Alexander Delgado, the latter known as the president of the local CDR, as those responsible for this heinous act.

The allegation was shared on the Facebook profiles of the Animal Welfare Cuba (BAC) network in both Holguín and Havana, complete with photographs of the accused perpetrators. "Two residents confirmed the fall and assault; images show injuries consistent with impact and physical abuse," emphasized BAC-Habana's post.

BAC has submitted the testimonies and photographs to the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) and the Provincial Animal Health Delegation, calling for a case to be opened under Decree-Law 31, Article 9, concerning cruelty leading to death. As of now, there has been no official response regarding the incident.

Animal rights advocates have urged anyone with evidence, such as videos, photos, or statements, to help clarify the incident by sending it to prensa.bacanos@gmail.com. "Your information could prove decisive in ensuring those responsible face legal consequences," BAC stated, pledging to keep the community updated on any developments.

Community Outcry and Demand for Stricter Laws

The incident has sparked a wave of outrage on social media, with many expressing concern over the lack of stringent animal protection laws in Cuba. Esteban Vázquez voiced his frustration, questioning, "Where is the animal protection law here in Cuba? It's just another facade among many. Report this case, but they'll probably just get a small fine."

María Victoria Durán Casal argued for a radical change in addressing such acts. "Animal cruelty has surpassed all limits in a society that claims to be humane. This act that led to the death of a defenseless animal cannot merely result in a fine. These individuals are seriously disturbed and pose a danger to others. They should be imprisoned or in a psychiatric hospital."

Mara Leyva suggested the case should not be treated solely as animal cruelty, but also as psychological abuse against a human being. "For those who think 'it's just an animal,' consider the harm done to its owner, who had to witness her cat die miserably."

Omi Delgado called for genuine legislation, criticizing the current ineffective measures. "Paying the fine and then retaliating against another innocent being is not enough. Someone who cannot care for an animal is unlikely to care for a human. The general devaluation is truly concerning."

Jeanne Yong underscored the need for justice and legislative reform. "Justice now. What kind of person is the CDR president? If the president is an animal killer, what can be expected from others? Shared, SOS, and let the law fully punish them. We need stricter penalties and laws. Seeing what's happening, we must demand changes to animal welfare laws."

Animal Welfare Challenges in Cuba

Despite the enactment of Decree-Law 31 on Animal Welfare in April 2021, stray animals remain vulnerable, reflecting broader systemic issues within Cuba's veterinary framework. Conditions in various zoos have also been criticized for neglect and mistreatment.

Animal rights activists continue to call for a truly effective law to replace the current inadequate decree. Instances of impunity and abuse have been widely reported, including a shocking April incident where a live owl was offered for sale on Facebook in Havana for 20,000 pesos.

Earlier, a woman in Gibara was horrified to find thieves cooking her stolen cat. In March, activist Yenney Caballero publicly condemned the Mascolive veterinary clinic for refusing to perform surgery on a critically ill cat.